Glass 




Book ^S 5 05 




THE CHURCH OF 1847 TO 1891. 



ANNALS 



OF THE 



Methodist Episcopal Church, 



OF 



SEYMOUR, CONN. 



o^o 



BY W. C. SHARPE, 

AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF SEYMOUR. Etc. 



RECORD PRINT, SEYMOUR, CONN. 
1885. 

Edition of 1898. 



*$* 



nUyC 



PREFACE. 

In commencing this work it was only intended to arrange and pre- 
serve in convenient form for reference so many of the financial reports* 
lists of official members, Sunday-school reports, etc., as might be 
available, with a few such additional pages as should give a tolerably 
complete account when taken in connection with the sketch of the 
church in the History of Seymour, pages 173 to 183, and copied by 
permission in the History of Derby, pages 461 to 469, one of which 
is available to many of those interested. The occasional publications 
above mentioned, all of which have been printed at the Record 
office, and many of them gratuitously, number over forty, and some 
of them are very rare. The plan was changed and all available mate- 
rial was examined. Each of the surviving pastors now remaining in 
the conference was requested to assist in the work and several of them 
aided materially in the preparation of the following pages. Yet the 
work has been hastily done, owing to the very limited time which an 
editor could spare from his daily labors. Such as it is, he hopes it 
may be of some value to the church and interesting to the membership. 

It has been said that we can judge of the future only by the past, 
and if in some respects the following pages seem to give too much of 
of detail, it is yet hoped they may prove useful. Especially in regard 
to legacies and property titles is full information needed, and not al- 
ways available, even after long and patient research. 

To those who may not already beaware of the changes of name we 
would state, to avoid confusion in regard to localities, that this village 
was first known as Chusetown, named after an Indian chief, then as 
then as Humphreysville, and since 1850 as Seymour. 

More than proportional space has been given to the pastorate of 
Rev. Geo. L. Taylor because of the importance^of the station filled 



by the church in the history of the town in the most crucial stage of 
its war record. 

The Methodist churches of New England have borne much contu- 
mely in the earlier years of their organization and have thus earned 
the right to wear their honors. They have borne an important and 
honorable part in moulding the character of the states, and have done 
their full share in sustaining the general government in the time of its 
greatest trial. 

Two of the young pastors of this church have afterward been hon- 
ored with the degree of D. D., viz : Rev. George Lansing Taylor and 
Rev. Joseph Pullman. Its members have gone forth to make their 
mark in the great cities and the newer communities of the west. The 
children of the humble Sunday School have become strong men who 
have battled for the right, and self denying women who have been 
equally faithful to sustain the banner of the cross. 

The past is ours, not to be reproduced, for as times change so may modes 
of work, but for warning, instruction and encouragement. The good 
works of the past are a precious memory, the present is ours, and the fu- 
ture stretches before us. May it be a happy one for the church and 
its membership. W. 0. S. 



First Methodist Preaching in Chusetown, 

NOW SEYMOUR. 



When near the close of the last century Kev. Jesse Lee commenced 
his labors in this vicinity, he found many willing hearers in whose 
hearts the seed took deep root and brought forth fruit an hundred fold. 
Descendants of the Puritans had for more than a hundred years estab- 
lished homes upon the hills and in the vales of the Naugatuck. They 
brought with them the bible and a belief in its teachings, and many 
who were cold in formalism and the forbidding doctrines of Calvinism 
were ready to embrace the more loving and trusting teachings of 
Methodism under the zealous labors of the first Methodist preachers, 
any one of whom might well have been taken as the original of Jean 
Ingelow ? s "Curate" : "He had learned to kneel by beds forlorn, and 
stoop under foul lintels. He could touch, with band unshrinking, fev- 
ered fingers; he could hear the language of the lost, in haunt and den — 
so dismal that the coldest passer by must needs be sorry for them." 
They were alike ready to comfort the sick and exhort the strong, to render 
consolation to the poor and afflicted and reprove the rich and haughty. 
Many of the first to join the followers of Wesley were men and women 
of high standing in the community, and some of them previously mem- 
bers of the older churches, as appears on comparing the names with 
various records. The pioneer of Methodism in New England first 
came to Derby in 1791, and, hiring a bellman to call the people out, he 
preached to them in the shade of some trees in what is now known as 
Derby Uptown, on the east side of the Naugatuck river, then much 
deeper than now and navigable to that place. Among the hearers 
were John Coe and Ruth, his wife, who invited him to preach in their 
house on his next visit. This invitation he accepted a few weeks later, 
and extended his work to Chusetown, by which name the settlement 
near the Falls of the Naugatuck was then known. From that time 
Derby, comprising what is now Seymour, was included in the circuit? 
which embraced nearly all of what recently constituted the New Haven 
nd Bridgeport districts. 



6 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



In 1792 Middletown was made the head of the circuit, which em 
braced a large part of Middlesex and New Haved counties. This 
section was no exception to the general persecution of the new denomi- 
nation, and from pulpit and fireside warnings were given against the 
innovators, but Lee and his co-laborers, like brave men of God as they 
were, continued to sow broadcast the seeds of truth. John and Euth 
Ooe and Mr. and Mrs. Hinman were the first fruits of their labors here, 
and soon brought their infant sons for baptism at the hands of Eev. 
Jesse Lee. Mr. Coe ? s son was baptized John Allyn and Mr. Hinman's 
son Jesse Lee. John A. Coe grew to manhood as an earnest, efficient 
Christian, and settled in what is now Beacon Falls, where one of his 
grandsons resided until within a few years, and was one of the most 
honored residents of that place, having been repeatedly elected to the 
legislature and various offices of trust in the town. The first society 
in Derby was formed in 1793, with John Ooe as leader, and was visit- 
ed by the venerable Bishop Asbury. — Eev. Sylvester Smith. 

The preachers on the Middletown circuit from 1791 to 1796 were: 

1792, Eev. Eichard Swain and Eev. Aaron Hunt. 

1793, Eev. Joshua Taylor and Eev. Benjamin Fisher. 

1794, Eev. Menzies Eaynor and Eev. Daniel Ostrander. 

1795, Eev. Evan Eogers and Eev. Joel Ketchum. 

1796, Eev. Joshua Taylor and Eev. Lawrence McOombs. 

FIRST ORGANIZATION. 

Ohusetown, so called after the Indian chief, Mauwehu, nicknamed 
Ohuse, was afterward renamed Humphreysville, after General David 
Humphreys, Aide-de-Oamp to General Washington, and in 1850 was, 
with surrounding territory, incorporated as the town of Seymour. 
Here in 1797 the members of the new denomination were separately 
organized with Daniel Eowe of Derby as leader. The original mem- 
bers were Jesse Johnson, Isaac Johnson, Esther Baldwin, Sarah 
Baldwin and Eunice Baldwin. George Clark, Lucy Hitchcock, Silas 
Johnson and Olive Johnson were soon added to the number. The 
ministers preached where they found open doors, in Mrs. Dayton's 
tavern, the house now owned by William Hull, at the corner of 
Main and Pearl streets, and in the house of Mr. Stiles, later the resi- 
dence of Dr. Thomas Stoddard. Some years later they preached in 
the ballroom of the Moulthrop tavern, on the northeast corner of Maple 
and Pearl streets. 

The circuit preachers for the first four years after the organization 
of the new society were- — 






ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 7 

1797, Rev. Michael Coate and Eev. Peter Jayne. 

1798, Eev. Augustus Jocelyn. 

1799, Eev. Ebenezer Stevens. 

1800, Eev. James Coleman and Eev. Eoger Searle. 

The Presiding Elders were Eev. Jacob Brush, Eev. George Eoberts, 
Eev. Jesse Lee, Eev. Freeborn Garrettson and Eev. Sylvester Hutch- 
inson. These itinerants were generally stalwart men, strengthened 
by daily horseback rides and hardened by exposure to all extremes of 
weather. Most of them were men of fair culture, of great mental 
strength, of ready wit and glowing oratory, of fervid piety and of 
marked success as evangelists. Most of them attained a good old 
age, and the churches which they organized have grown into large and 
powerful organizations. 

For a long time the society continued small, and encountered much 
prejudice and some persecution. At one time while a meeting was 
being held in the house of Isaac Baldwin, which stood on the flat east 
of H. B. Beecher's auger factory, the persecutors went up on a ladder 
in time of preaching and covered the chimney flue so that the smoke 
drove the people out of the house. Squibs of powder were often 
thrown into the fire in time of worship, to the great annoyance of the 
people. One who was acquainted with the subsequent life of many of 
these disturbers of worship said that a curse seemed to follow them, 
and that most of them died in the prime of life. The preachers on the 
circuit from 1801 to 1810 were : 

1801, Eev. Elijah Bachelor and Eev. Luman Andrus. 

1802, Rev. Abner Wood and Eev. James Annis. 

1803, Eev. Abner Wood and Eev. Nathan Emory. 

1804, Eev. Ebenezer Washburn and Eev. Nathan Emory. 

1805, Eev. Ebenezer Washburn and Eev. Luman Andrus. 

1806, Eev. Luman Andrus and Eev. Zalmon Lyon. 

1807, Eev. William Thatcher, Eev. E. Harris and Eev. O. Sykes. 

1808, Eev. James M. Smith and Eev. Phineas Eice. 

1809, Eev. Noble W. Thomas and Eev. Coles Carpenter. 

1810, Eev. Oliver Sykes and Eev. Jonathan Lyon. 

The presiding elders of the district were Eev. F. Garrettson in 
1801-2; Eev. D. Ostrander in 1803-5; Eev. William Thatcher in 
1806, and Eev. Joseph Crawford from 1807 to 1810. 

Among the early Methodists living on Great Hill were Anson Gil- 
lette and wife, with five sons and two daughters ; Mrs. David Tomlin- 
son, with one son and three daughters; Capt. Isaac Bassett and wife, 



8 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

with one son and six daughters, and James Tomlinson and wife. Eli 
Gillette, a son of the first named is still living at the advanced age of 
eightyfour years, and from his youth has been a consistent and efficient 
member of the Great Hill church. 

Eev, Freeborn Garrettson held the first quarterly meeting in this 
place in the old Congregational meeting-house in 1803. Moses Osborn, 
a zealous local preacher residing in Southbury, by his faithful labors in 
Derby and vicinity during four or five years, prepared the way for a 
great revival in 1809, when seventy persons were converted in the 
Neck school-house. Most of these joined the Congregational church, 
but several families joined the Methodist church and added to its influ- 
ence in the town. The work moved steadily on in Derby, 
Humphreysville and Nyumphs. In 1811 the preachers were Eev. 
Zalmon Lyon and Eev. Jesse Hunt; in 1812, Rev. Aaron Hunt and 
Eev. Arnold Scholefield. In 1813 Middletown circuit was divided 
and Stratford was made the head of the new circuit. Eev. Bbenezer 
Washburn and Eev. James Coleman were the preachers. Stratford, 
Milford, Derby, Humphreysville, Nyuinphs, Great Hill, Quaker 
Farms, George's Hill, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Newtown, East Vil- 
lage, Stepney and Trumbull were included in the circuit. 

Eev. Nathan Bangs was presiding elder of the New Haven district 
in 1814, and Eev. Elijah Woolsey and Eev. Henry Ames were the 
preachers on this circuit. This year preaching was divided — half a 
day at Humphreysville, half a day at Nyumphs and once a fortnight at 
Derby Neck. It was a revival year at the Neck and on Great Hill. 
The two brothers, Samuel and David Durand, and their wives were 
added to the little church in the little red school-house at the Neck. 
Samuel was a good singer. In 1815 Rev. Elijah Hebard and Eev. 
Benoni English were the preachers on this circuit ; but Mr. English 
soon located at Humphreysville and went into business. This year 
Walter French, a resident of Humphreysville, received license to ex- 
hort and afterwards a license to preach, and was very useful here and 
in other parts of the circuit. He had a good memory, a ready utter- 
ance, and often spoke with great power and success. He died in 1865, 
aged over eighty years. 

In 1816 Eev. Nathan Bangs, presiding elder, came to preach in the 
Bell school-house and made his home with Stiles Johnson, on the 
Skokorat road, opposite Thomas Gilyard's place. After some cautions 
from careful brother Johnson against doctrinal preaching, the elder 
went down in the evening and preached a free salvation to a crowded 



BUYING A MEETINGHOUSE. 9 

house, and such was the power of his words on the congregation that 
when the preacher, in closing, inquired, "Who will have this salvation? 
Let those who will seek it arise," the whole congregation stood up 
with one accord and a great revival ensued. "Uncle Timothy" Hitch- 
cock was one of the converts. Eev. Eeuben Harris was in charge, 
and lived in the house with Stiles Johnson. In 1817 the society 
numbered fifty six members. 

The legislature of the state authorized the division of its share of 
its surplus war tax of 1812 among the religious denominations of the 
state, but the Methodists refused their portion of the money. At a 
quarterly conference held at East Village, January 9, 1818, Eev. 
Oliver Sykes was appointed to communicate with the officials of the 
state on the subject, but no one had any authority to receive the re- 
jected funds. The disappointed brother returned, still burdened with 
unwelcome charity. At the quarterly conference of August in the 
same year, held at Humphreysville, Rev. Aaron Pierce and two 
others were appointed a committee to write to the treasurer of the 
state, and if he could not receive the Methodist portion of the money, 
to draw up a petition in behalf of this circuit to the General Assembly 
for liberty to return their proportion of the fund. Liberty was 
granted and the funds were returned to the state. The rising church, 
though struggling with difficulties, would not sacrifice her honest in- 
dependence. The fathers were fully committed to the voluntary prin- 
ciple for the support of the Gospel. 

Until 1818 the society owned no regular place of meeting, but 
assembled for worship in the dwellings of the members, in school- 
houses and occasionally in the old Congregational church. The society 
was now increasing in numbers and in activity, as related by Eev. S. 
0. Leonard on pages 12 and 13 of the History of Seymour, and pro- 
posed to sell the old church to the Methodists, preparatory to building 
a new church just north of the Congregational cemetery. A meeting 
was held by the Methodists for the purpose of taking action prepara- 
tory to the proposed purchase, which is recorded as follows: 

"Humphreysville, Oct 31, 1817. &t a meeting of the Brethren of the 
Methodist Society, convened at the house of Timothy Hitchcock, for the purpose 
of transacting business for the benefit of sd. society, Voted that Robert Lees, 
Bezaleel Peck, Timothy Hitchcock and Stiles Johnson be appointed a Committee 
to arrange business with a committee appointed by the Congregationalists relative 
to the old Meeting House in Humphreys Ville. 

Robert Lees, Moderator. 

2nd, Voted, Newel Johnson— Secretary. 



10 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

3rd, Voted, Stiles Johnson, Bezaleel Peck, Robert Lees, Thomas Gilyard, 
Timothy Hitchcock, Trustees for the said Methodist Society. " 

The deed of the old meetinghouse read as follows: 

"To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting: Know ye that 
we, Bradford Steele, Sarah Steele, William Kenney, Ira Smith, Phebe Stiles, 
& Philena Baldwin, of Derby, in New Haven County, for the consideration of 
forty Dollars, rec'd to our full satisfaction of Stiles Johnson, Bezaleel Peck, 
Thomas Gilyard, Kobert Lees and Timothy Hitchcock, do remise and release and 
forever quitclaim unto the said Johnson, Peck, Gilyard, Lees, and Hitchcock, 
for the use of the said Methodist Society, and unto their heirs and assigns forever, 
all the right, title and interest, claim & demand whatsoever, as we the said 
releasors have or ought to have in or to one certain House in Humphreys Ville, 
adjoining the burying ground, built for a House of Public Worship, to have and 
to hold the same premises, with all their appurtenances, unto the said Releasees 
& their heirs & Assigns forever, so that neither we the releasors, nor our heirs, 
nor any other person under us or them shall hereafter have any right or title in 
or to the premises or any part thereof, but therefrom we and they are by these 
presents forever debarred & secluded. 

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & seals this 22nd day of 
Sept r , Anno Domini, 1818. 

Bradford Steele, [seal] 
Sarah Steele, [seal] 

Ira Smith, [seal] 

Phebe Stiles, [seal] 

Wm. Kenny, [seal] 

Philena Baldwin, [seal] 
Signed, sealed & Delivered in presence of 

John Humphreys, Jr. , 
Phebe Stiles, 
Elias Baldwin. 
New Haven Co. SS., Derby, Sept. 22, 1818, personally appeared B. S., S. S,, 
I. S.. P. S., W. K. & P. B., signers and sealers of the forgoing instrument, and 
acknowledged the same to be their free act & deed before me. 

John Humphreys, Jun'r, Justice of the Peace." 



THE STILES JOHNSON LEGACY. 11 



THIRTY YEARS IN THE OLD CHURCH. 

1818 TO 1848. 

Active among the membership of the now prosperous society were 
Jesse and Stiles Johnson, sons of Isaac Johnson, who died in 1813, 
with their families. Jesse Johnson was afterward a local preacher 
and a close student of the Bible, but became insane, and after a long 
confinement, died in 1829. The two brothers were buried in the 
cemetery in the rear of the church. 

Stiles Johnson died Oct. 4, 1818, aged 36 years, leaving by will to 
the Methodist Society the ground on which the church stands, with 
the green in front, also $334 in money, of which $134 might be 
applied to repairs on the church, the $200 to be kept as a perpetual 
fund, the interest alone to be applied for the support of ''regular Sab- 
bath preaching." Following is a copy of the clause of his will making 
the bequest to the church : 

2nd. — I will and bequeath to the Methodist Society in Humphreys Ville the 
land on which the meeting house now stands, together with the Green in front 
of said House, to be in the care of the Trustees of said house, for the benefit of 
said Society, and I also give three Hundred and thirty-four dollars of my Estate 
to be appled to the support of the Methodist traveling Preachers as long as there 
shall be regular Sabbath preaching in the aforesaid Meeting House, which 
monev shall be raised and paid out of my Estate as though it was a Debt to the 
Trustees of said House, and the interest annually applied as aforesaid. But if it 
should be thought by the aforesaid Trustees more for the benefit of said Society, 
they may apply and sum not exceeding one Hundred and thirty-four dollars to 
making further repairs on said House, and the remainder to be applied as afore- 
said. But if the Traveling Connection should neglect or refuse to supply said 
House as aforesaid then the interest of said money shall be given to such local 
preachers as shall for the time being supply their place, according to the discre- 
tion of the Trustees. 

In case his adopted son did not live to become of legal age, it was 
provided that a further sum should accrue to the Society. The wit- 
nesses to the will were Sally B. Bassett, daughter of Jesse Johnson 



12 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

and sister of Stiles Johnson's adopted son, Elizabeth Hitchcock and 
Eane Hitchcock. 

The building was soon after enlarged and a gallery built round, but 
no paint was used either within or without. In 1819 there were three 
classes. The leaders were Robert Lee, Timothy Hitchcock and Orrin 
Peck, the latter class meeting in Woodbridge. The members of Tim- 
othy Hitchcock's class were: Cynthia Johnson (widow of Stiles John- 
son), Thomas and Lois Gilyard, Jared and Sally B. Bassett (daughter 
of Jesse Johnson), Timothy and Urania Hitchcock, Anna Davis (widow 
of Beuben Davis), Bezaleel and Martha Peck, Alva Davis and his wife 
Polly (daughter of Oapt. Daniel Holbrook), Hepzibah Johnson (daugh- 
ter of Jesse Johnson) and Sheldon Hitchcock (son of Timothy Hitch- 
cock). 

The circuit preachers from 1816 to 1820 were Bev. Nathan Emory, 
Bev. Arnold Scholefield, Bev. Beuben Harris, Bev. Ezekiel Canfield? 
Bev. Samuel Bushnell, Bev. Aaron Pierce, Bev. Beardsley Northrop, 
Bev. David Miller and Bev. Bela Smith. Two preachers were usual- 
ly appointed to each large circuit each year to alternate at the different 
stations. 

The quarterly meetings of those times were largely attended and ex- 
ceedingly interesting, the people going from all parts of the circuit on 
Saturday nnd putting up with the people in the vicinity of the place 
where the meetings were to be held, so as to be ready for the services 
of the Sabbath. In the afternoon they heard a sermon, after which 
came the quarterly conference, composed of all the stewards, class 
leaders, exhorters and preachers on the circuit. The presiding elders 
were present on such occasions and drew large congregations, the people 
generally expecting to hear strong doctrinal sermons, which were usual- 
ly very effective. At one of these meetings on Great Hill in 1820, 
under the direction of Bev. Ebenezer Washburn, presiding elder, 
fifteen persons were converted in one afternoon. 

From 1821 to 1830 the membership on the circuit was much in- 
creased as the result of revivals in different places. The preachers 
were Bev. James Coleman, Bev. Laban Clark, Bev. Eli Barnett, 
Bev. John Nixon, Bev. Eli Denniston, Bev. Wiliam F. Pease, Bev. 
Julius Field, Bev. Samuel D, Ferguson, Bev. Valentine Buck, Bev. 
John Luckey, Bev, Nathaniel Kellogg, Bev. Beuben Harris, Bev. 
John Lovejoy and Bev. Laban C. Cheney. The presiding elders were 
Bev. Samuel Merwin, Bev. Samuel Luckey, Bev. D. Ostrander and 
Bev. Laban Clark. 







REV. SAMUEL R. HICKOX. 



HICKCOX, ELLIS, BANGS, BATES, SMITH. 13 

In 1828 this part of the circuit was separated, and Humphreysville 
and Hamden were associated. Samuel E. Hickcox, a local preacher 
from Southbury, moved into Humphreysville in 1828, and had charge 
of a grist mill at the falls, keeping boarders from the cotton mill. He 
was a good preacher, and was a great help to the church. In 1829 
Thomas Ellis, a Welshman and a spinner in the cotton mill, was con- 
verted and joined the church here, of which his wife was already a 
member. He had been a wild young man and a great singer. It was 
said that he could sing all night without repeating a song, but in two 
years after his conversion he had forgotten them all. He was an im- 
portant addition to the church on account of his musical ability. 

u In 1831 Heman Bangs was appointed in charge of the circuit, with 
Daniel Smith as his colleague, and Wm. Bates, a local preacher resid- 
ing at Humphreysville, was employed as an assistant. In this year most 
effective work was done. Such a year's work as Heman Bangs did on 
the Derby circuit in 1831-2 is almost unparalelled. He was an inde- 
fatigable worker and nothing discouraged him. At the first quarterly 
meeting after paying his helpers he had but 75 cents left for himself, 
and yet at the close of the year all were paid. Two churches were 
built, another planned, the lot for the old (Humphreysville) parson- 
age was purchased and the cellar walls were built. He planned the 
Derby camp meeting and was the mainspring of the whole machinery 
of the circuit. Driving into Waterbury for the first time, he lifted up 
his heart and voice in prayer to God for the success of Methodism in 
that town. ' There were giants in those days,' and none were more 
fruitful in work to build up our Zion than Heman Bangs. All honor 
to the old hero. Daniel Smith was a noble helper, sound and logical." 

The camp-meeting above mentioned was held in the woods west of 
where the Catholic church of Birmingham now stands, and continued 
eight days. On the Sabbath ten thousand people were supposed to be 
present and the fruit of the meeting was about one hundred converts. 
Sylvester Smith, afterwards long identified with the interests of the 
church, was present during the whole of that remarkable meeting. In 
this year the churches in South Britain and Middlebury were built, the 
foundation of one at Waterbury laid and the building of a parsonage in 
Humphreysville commenced. Three hundred dollars worth of books 
were sold on the circuit, a large amount of missionary money raised 
and the preachers' salaries paid in full. In April, 1832, Sylvester 
Smith, then a local preacher from Hotchkisstown, now Westville, where 






14 ANNALS OF THE SHYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

he was first licensed in March, 1830, moved into this village. Eev" 
Daniel Smith was continued on the circuit and Rev. Robert Travis was 
preacher in charge of the Humphreysville church. The parsonage was 
not quite ready for Mr. T., but in a few days after his arrival in town 
he moved into it. It was built by the two brothers Lane, from Monroe. 
At this time the church was an ecclesiastical society under the statute 
and known as the Methodist society of Humphreysville. 

In 1833 Rev. Raphael Gilbert, Rev. Thomas JBainbridge and Rev. 
Chester W. Tairner were the preachers on the circuit, Mr. Bainbridge 
occupying the parsonage. Turner was a single man, who afterwards 
married the sister of Rev. J. D. Smith of the Episcopal church. Mr. 
Bainbridge was a good preacher and a sweet singer. In L834 Rev. 
Humphrey Humphries and Rev. John Crawford were the preachers, 
Mr. Humphries moving into the parsonage. Rev. Josiah Bowen 
had charge of the circuit in 1835-6. In the middle of 1836 he 
moved out of the parsonage into a house at Derby Neck, where he 
remained until he died not many years since. On the first of October, 
1836, Rev. Sylvester Smith moved into the parsonage and occupied it 
four years at an annual rent of fifty dollars. Rev. David Miller was 
preacher in charge in 1837 and 1838, residing at Great Hill. He 
closed his term of service in May, 1839. Rev. Oliver Sykes, a super- 
annuate, had been an assistant preacher for several years. Thomas 
Ellis received license to preach in 1833, and did good service on the 
circuit until 1838, when he joined the conference and became a success- 
ful itinerant. He died in triumph in May, 1873, aged sixty-eight. 
Rev. J. Bowen and Rev. J. B. Beach were the preachers in 1839. 

Since 1839 Birmingham and Waterbury have been separate stations . 
Middlebury and South Britain sustained a pastor, and only Humphreys- 
ville, Great Hill, Pleasant Vale and Pinesbridge were included in the 
circuit with Humphreysville. 

In 1840 and 1841 Rev. Thomas Sparks was the preacher in charge, 
residing at South Britain, and Rev. Ezra Jagger in 1842 and 1843, 
residing at Great Hill and assisted in his second year by Rev. M. Bly- 
denburgh. Horace Atwater, a student at Yale, was also a very effective 
assistant. 

On Saturday, March 19, 1842, a quarterly meeting commenced at 
Southford. Presiding Elder Carpenter being absent, Sylvester Smith 
preached. Sunday morning was very pleasant, and after love feast it 
was found impossible for more than half the people to get into the 




REV. GEORGE L. FULLER. 



LAST YEARS IN THE OLD CHURCH. 15 

chapel. Eev. Thomas Sparks occupied the pulpit and Mr. Smith went 
below and took his stand in the school-room and preached with half his 
congregation outdoors. It was a memorable time. These were pros- 
perous years for the church at Humphreysville after a period of depres- 
sion. Eev. Moses Blydenburgh was pastor in charge in 1844 and lived 
on Great Hill. Mr. Blydenburgh died in 1848, aged 31 years, leaving 
a wife and one son, now a lawyer in New Haven. 

Eev. George L. Fuller had charge of the circuit in 1845 and 1846, 
residing on Great Hill. Three of his children were buried there. He 
was a man of great energy and much humor, and the cause prospered 
under his pastorate. During his second year steps were taken prelimi- 
nary to the building of a new church in Humphreysville, which are 
given more at length in another chapter. He is still living at Nor- 
walk, though in feeble health, and is the oldest surviving pastor of this 
church. 



16 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



THE OLD MEETING-HOUSE. 

The venerable building had served for nearly fifty-four years and the 
time had almost come when it was to be replaced by a more commodi- 
ous structure. Its walls had echoed with the eloquence of men mighty 
in faith and zeal for the salvation of souls, its pews had been occupied 
by men and women who had helped to lay deep and strong the founda- 
tions of our governmental and social institutions. But the feeling 
was growing that a better building should be erected to the worship of 
Jehovah, and that the society was now able to do it. Many precious 
memories clustered about the old building, and we would that we were 
able to present its likeness to our readers. As it is, a pen picture of its 
outlines as it appeared to the writer in his childhood days must suffice. 
It stood facing the west, covered with broad clapboards, no spire sur- 
mounting its roof, its brown sides wholly unadorned. A central aisle 
was lined with long seats with perpendicular backs reaching to the sides 
of the building. 

Narrow galleries on either side and across the north end were sup- 
ported by large posts and reached by a narrow stairway on the side 
of the entrance, at the west end. The building had never been painted 
or plastered. The swallows built their nests against the roof, and flew 
in and out of crevices under the eaves during the services. At the 
east end of the church was a platform raised one step, surrounded by 
a railing, and in front of this was an open space where for a few 
years had stood a " box " stove, though the foot stoves, or tin boxes 
filled with live coals, were still in use. 

In the center of the space within the railing was the quaint old 
pulpit, with a door or gateway about three feet in height. The pulpit 
was somewhat elevated, but not nearly so much as was common in 
those days. Its first occupant had been the Rev. Benjamin Beach, 
grandfather of S. Y. Beach, Esq., who lived in the house adjoining the 
present parsonage, now owned by Mr. Charles Hyde. 



THE NEW CHTJECH. 

During the pastorate of Eev. George L. Fuller, in the fall of 1846, a 
subscription was opened for a new church edifice and the members 
contributed with great liberality. It is a matter of regret that the 
financial accounts of the society at that period are not available, as there 
in the possession of the society, church or various boards no records of 
their finances earlier than 1869. 

In the spring of 1847 Eev. Charles Stearns was appointed pastor and 
pushed along the new enterprise. The old meetinghouse was sold for 
one hundred dollars and torn down, and a new edifice reared in its 
place. The members gave liberally according to their ability and many 
came and labored with a zeal and ardor worthy of the cause. The 
corner stone was laid on Saturday, June 19, 1847. Eev. B. W. Smith 
of Birmingham was the speaker. Sylvester Smith deposited the case 
under the stone after announcing its contents. Eev. Charles Stearns, 
pastor, conducted the services, and was assisted by Eev. William B. 
Curtiss of the Congregational church. 

The following description of the church was published in the Derby 
Journal of Feb. 3rd : 

The house is Gothic in design, 40 by 60 feet in dimensions, with a base- 
ment almost entirely above ground containing a commodious lecture- 
room and two class-rooms. It has an excellent toned bell of 1,150 pounds 
weight. The slips, the ceiling, the altar and the galleries are grained ; 
the scrolls on the slips are of black walnut. The base on the pulpit is 
painted in imitation of Egyptian marble, and the pulpit Sienna marble. 
The walls above and below are frescoed. The ascent from the basement 
to the vestibule, and from thence to the galleries, is by a spiral stair 
in the steeple and turret. The windows in front, as also those in the 
steeple and turret, are of stained glass. The sofa, chairs and table, 
together with the columns for the pulpit lamps, are of black wal- 
nut. The cost of the building is about five thousand dollars. In the 
afternoon of the day of dedication the slips were rented, and the Trustees 
will realize about six hundred dollars therefrom. 

Mr. Hotchkiss of Birmingham was the architect, and he is justly de- 
serving of credit for the plan of the building— the proper proportion and 

17 






* 



18 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

beautiful symmetry of which favorably impress almost every beholder. 
The writer of this is authorized to say that the building committee and 
trustees of the church take great pleasure in giving publicity to the feeling 
of entire satisfaction which they entertain in reference to those who have 
been employed in erecting the house— by the manner in which they have 
acquitted themselves. 

To the Builder, Mr. Amos Hine of Woodbridge, who has shown himself 
to be both competent and faithful. While engaged in the construction of 
the house, he has apparently identified himself with the interests of those 
by whom he was employed. 

To the Masons, Mr. Jerry Bassett and Mr. Isaac Davis, both of this 
village, the former for the neat and substantial wall of the basement, to- 
gether with the steps, lx>th of which are pronounced second to none in 
this region ; the latter, who has done himself great credit by the manner 
in which the walls were finished, in the plastering and frescoing, above 
and below. 

To the Painter, Mr. Martin, also of this village, who in the external 
painting and sanding of the house, together with the internal work, has 
shown himself master of his business. The work upon the pulpit was 
done at his own suggestion and expense, and is considered to be in excel- 
lent taste, presenting a beautiful contrast with the base, as well as the 
other parts of the house. 

The trustees and members of the church take great pleasure in acknowl- 
edging the donation of the beautiful black walnut table, valued at 
twenty-six dollars, presented by Mr. Albert J. Steele of this village, the 
workmanship of Mr. David Johnson, also of this village. 

Great praise is also due to the ladies connected with the "Female Aid 
Society v of this church and others who have assisted in the work for the 
neat and tasteful manner in which they have furnished the church. The 
carpets, the trimmings of the pulpit, the sofa, the chairs for the altar, to- 
gether with the lamps, are the results of their labors and speak much for 
their zeal and diligence in the cause. 

While the members connected with this church congratulate themselves 
in having by the good hand of God so comfortable a place in which to 
worship the God of their fathers, they are not insensible to the feeling of 
kindness and good will which has prompted members of the sister church 
to lend a helping hand in this enterprise. May the good Lord reward 
them an hundred fold in spiritual blessings. C. S. 

The strip of land west of the church, between the rows of elms and 
maples was deeded to the society Oct. 31, 1848, by Sylvester Smith. 
Derby Land Eecords, vol. 35, page 215 : 

" Commencing at a point on the line of the highway at the corner of the 
land this day deeded to Medad K. Tucker, and running easterly on sd 
highway line 3 T 2 o 8 o rods to the line of this grantee, thence southerly on sd 
grantee's line 14 T 2 o°o rods to a point on Bennett Wooster's line close by a 
maple tree, thence running the south side of sd tree on sd Bennett 



DEDICATION, MAPLES, TRUSTEES. 19 

Wooster's line 3^ rods, thence northerly on Medad K. Tucker's line to 
the place of beginning, sd last mentioned line being 14 T 2 «j 4 o rods, containing 
an area of 43 rods, hereby saving and reserving to myself the fee simple 
of sd land after the sd church shall fail to sustain a meeting house where 
their house now stands, hereby only granting the use of sd land to sd 
church so long as the same shall remain in the control and direction of 
the trustees of sd church during the time aforesaid solely for the accom- 
modation of the Methodist E. Society of Humphreysville, and when the 
sd Society ceases to maintain sd church in the place where it now stands 
then sd land is to revert to this Grantor, his heirs and assigns." 

The bell, from Meneely's foundry in Troy, was raised to its place in 
November. Its weight was eleven hundred and fifty pounds. 

The church was dedicated on Tuesday, January 18, 1848, by Bishop 
Janes, who preached from Ezra vi, 16. In the evening he preached 
again. The collections amounted to $292.83. The whole cost of the 
house, bell and furniture was $5,800. On the day of dedication the slips 
rented for $580 and the average amount of annual rents during the 
first ten years was about $550. 

The elms near the church and most of the maples were set out by 
Sylvester Smith and his son William E. Smith, who was killed in the 
war Sept. 1, 1864. Two only of the maples on the west side liad been 
previously set out by Alva Davis. The others were set Oct. 28, 1848, 
and the elms on the day of the Presidential election. 

In May, 184:9, Rev. Seneca Howland was in charge of what in the 
next year was set off from Derby as the town of Seymour. He remained 
two years and some additions were made to the church. Twenty-three 
came forward as seekers at his first watch meeting. 

He was born Dec. 19, 1819, in Danby, Tompkins Co., N. Y., studied 
at Wesleyan University, leaving there in 1847, studied medicine in 
New York University, joined New York conference in 1848 and offi- 
ciated on the Derby circuit, including Humphreysville, in 1849 and 
1849. During his stay the name Humphreysville was discontinued by 
the incorporation of the town of Seymour. 

Wales French was elected a trustee April 2, 1840, and Samuel E. 
Hickcox about this time. On the 26th of January, 2846, Eev. George 
L. Fuller appointed trustees as follows : Thomas Gilyard, Jared Bassett 
Merritt Osborn, Samuel li. Hickcox, Sylvester Smith, Warren French, 
Burritt Hitchcock, William B. Watson and Wilson Wyant. April 3, 
1846, Lyman Hartson was appointed in place of Thomas Gilyard, re- 
signed ; Sheldon Miles vice Wilson Wyant, resigned. Vacancies were 
afterwards filled by the official board. 




REV. DAVID OSBORN. 



PASTORATE OF REV. DAVID OSBORK 

1861-2. 

In closing up the two years' service at Jamaica, Long Island, I found 
a shortness of breath, which I erroneously regarded as the result of sea 
air. I asked as a favor of ray presiding elder, Eev. Seymour Landon, 
an appointment in Connecticut. He consented, and in the spring of 
1851 I received as my eighteenth appointment the charge of Seymour 
and Ansonia. I went to the work with a good heart, inasmuch as 
Seymour had the repute of a revival-work church, and I felt confident 
that I could win a place in the affections of the people by faithful, earn- 
est work in the pulpit, in the prayer-meeting and pastoral visitation. 

liev. J. M. Reid had been pastor in Birmingham the two preceding 
years and had planned and engineered the building of a place of 
worship in Ansonia— stores for rent on the ground floor and a com- 
modious hall for worship over them. In this hall church I preached 
every other Sabbath. 

At Seymour we had a fine church edifice — new, with most beautiful 
surroundings. There I found Bro. Sylvester Smith and in his family he 
at once made me feel at home and immediately paid me twenty dollars 
to meet my moving expenses, saying, " You will need a little money to 
begin with." Bro. Smith knew how to look after things, and naturally 
was a leader in the movements of the church. A whole souled Christ- 
ian man ; alive with the Divine indwelling ; a good, a very good 
preacher, in full sympathy with earnest right, but with no pity for a 
drone. A leading member of the church in Birmingham said to me, 
u You have Bro. Smith up at Seymour, and if you don't look out he 
will beat you." I replied, " If he can out-work me and preach better 
than I can I am glad of it; but I will give him a pull." He proved 
one of the most blessed fellow-workers I ever had in any charge. Very 
prompt and outspoken in approving or disapproving, his counsel was 
most valuable, for he knew the people as one who had lived and worked 
among them. The church had an unusually large number of excellent 
workers, strong in faith and prayer. Father Hickcox was there, also 

21 



22 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 






Warren French, Bro. Jared Bassett, W. E. Hendryx, Lugrand Sharpe 
and others not a few, and among the young men was Bro. A. W. 
Lounsbury. Bro. F. Durand led the choir and taught school down in 
the village. These men and the wives of those married stand up in 
the field of my memory as a chosen host of the Lord. 

The Lord poured his spirit upon us and the first winter about seventy 
persons professed conversion and were added to the church, many of 
them young men. While this blessed and powerful work was progress- 
ing a revival commenced at Ansonia and we held extra meetings in 
both churches at the same time for some weeks. I was then taken 
sick with lung fever, the longest sickness of my life. I was out of the 
pulpit ten consecutive Sabbaths, but Bro. Smith and the brethren kept 
the services moving in good order and I was informed each day of the 
progress of the Lord's work in Ansonia. Dr. Johnson was my family 
physician, and the church would have furnished watchers, but the Sons 
of Temperance claimed the right to furnish them for every other night, 
and Mrs. Osborn was relieved from all care to secure watchers. The 
dear church looked after the welfare of my family. The kindest of kind 
friends lived in Seymour in 1851, and God cared for me and mine 
through them. 

At the close of the first conference year Ansonia desired a pastor to 
live among them and was set off. Great Hill was considered a part 
of the Seymour society and Bro. Judson English was a host among 
the brethren upon that hill. The second year was one of spiritual pros- 
perity, of harmony and increasing affection between pastor and people. 

God's providence was manifest to me, not only in my recovery from 
the fever, but again and again. I will recall one instance. My oldest 
son, Lemuel Olin, then a very small boy, attended school at the stone 
school-house. One day some of the older boys were talking about what 
was to be done in case one broke through the ice. Not to walk, but lie 
down and crawl to the help of the one in the water. Some two or 
three days after Lemuel and two other as small boys as he went upon 
the mill pond west of the stone school-house. The ice broke under him 
and he was in water much over his head. In going down his extended 
arms caught on the edge of the ice. He could feel the current of 
the water drawing him under. In an instant two little boys were 
flat on the ice, the second holding on to the foot of the foremost, and 
getting hold of his arm they succeeded in helping him out. Not another 
human being was within sight. He went to Sister Johnson's and said, 
u I want to stand by your stove ; I am cold." Not once alone has a 



PASTORATE OF REV. DAVID OSBORN. 23 

marked providence preserved the life of each one of my four children. 
In the case of Bro. Watson's sick daughter I saw a wonderful instance 
of answer to an unpremeditated prayer in which the answer was quick 
and complete. The daughter still lives. 

I have grand remembrance of Seymour prayer-meetings, and I have 
distinct recollection of her storms and how the thunder peals reverber- 
ated from the hill tops, old Castle Bock doing its part in these grand 
echoings. A venerable man, Father Chichester of the east end of Long 
Island, at a camp-meeting, as he arose on the platform to give an ex- 
hortation exclaimed, u Thank God he ever made Long Island !" and I 
thank God that in His providence I have lived two years with the 
Methodist families of Seymour. 

I was then in middle life. Now, of my old companions in the New 
York East conference only six remain who were in the New York con- 
ference in 1834, and two of these were probationers of one year's stand- 
ing, and another, Bro. N. Kellogg, is slowly passing away at his home 
in Pittsfield, Mass. All the then bishops and nearly a whole conference 
gone before me. 

" I brush the dew on Jordan's bank, 
The crossing must be near." 

But the Land of Promise is the further shore. 

D. OSBORN. 



Eev. Eufus K. Beynolds was appointed pastor in the spring of 1853 
and reappointed in 1854. He was an energetic and useful man. It is 
a matter of regret that the church has no record of the work accom- 
plished during his pastorate. 



PASTORATE OF KEV. WM. T. HILL. 

18B6-6. 

The New York East conference of 1855 held its session in Danbury. 
It adjourned on Wednesday, May 23d, having appointed a preacher to 
Seymour and Great Hill who was not received. On the 22d of June 
Judson English of Great Hill drove to Newtown, where the Rev. 
William T. Hill, a local preacher, was residing and invited him to take 
the charge. Mr. Hill had graduated from the Wesleyan University at 
Middletown the previous summer and acted under Presiding Elder 
Landon through the autumn and winter as pastor of the Dean street 
church in Brooklyn, which afterwards became the nucleus of the Han- 
son Place church. He had declined to join the conference on account 
of ill-health. In accordance with the invitation Mr. Hill preached at 
Seymour July 1st, his first text there being Gal. vi.; 4, 5. On the 15th 
of July he preached at Great Hill and again at Seymour on the 22d, 
when he agreed to become the pastor on condition of being received 
into some conference yet to hold its session and being duly appointed 
by the bishop. Through the agency of Presiding Elder Janes on July 
25th he was accordingly received on trial by the Oneida conference in 
central New York, not being present, transferred to the New York 
East conference, and appointed to Seymour and Great Hill. He con- 
tinued to reside at Newtown, preaching on this circuit until Sept. 13th, 
when he removed his family to the parsonage. During this conference 
year Bro. Sylvester Smith preached in Seymour on alternate Sabbaths, 
when Mr. Hill officiated at Great Hill. 

Friday evening, Dec. 28th, extra meetings were commenced. After 
a sermon by the pastor Mrs. Beers and B. Franklin Culver presented 
themselves as seekers of salvation. At the watch-night meeting, after 
a sermon by the Bev. A. McAllister, ten persons asked the prayers of 
the church, viz., besides the two mentioned, Mrs. G. A. Benedict, 
Laura French, Mary J. Watson, Harriet Johnson, Smith Watson, Win. 
Johnson, David W. Sharpe and Harriet Umberfield. Jan. 2d fourteen 
knelt together at the altar, the new ones being Mr. Stone, Mrs. Horace 
24 



PASTORATE OF REV. WM. T. HILL. 25 

Holbrook, H. Hickcox and M. A. Smith, seeking pardon of sin. At 
the next meeting, Jan. 4th, there were again four new penitents, Sarah 
Smith, Heber Bassett, Grace Culver and Edward Smith. Thus the 
meetings brought forth fruit until Sunday, Jan. 13th, when John 
Moshier, who had been a hardened backslider thirteen years, created a 
sensation by speaking in public of his desire to seek the Lord. Jan. 
17th Wm. D. Bissell with others joined the seekers, Bliss French Jan. 
22d and W. E. Smith with eight others the 23d. On the evening of 
Jan. 31st, the Rev. J. K. Burr, D.D., having preached, twenty-two 
joined the church on trial. Dr. Burr preached three evenings, new 
inquirers presenting themselves at every meeting. On Sunday even- 
ing, Feb. 3d, ten rose for prayers, among whom were Samuel Bassett, 
Albert Johnson, Harry Davis and ladies whose names were not known. 

Among those who began the Christian life about this time were Misses 
L. A. Osborn, Harriet Rider, Anna Bassett, Antoinette Benham, Ruth 
Chatfield, the Misses Skeeles and Jane Copeland. At the class-meeting 
on Saturday night fifty-three spoke of the loving kindness of the 
Savior. On Sunday night, Feb. 10th, Messrs. Noyes Storrs, Albert 
Riggs, Wm. Cook and W. W. Andrew, with Mrs. Andrew, were added 
to the inquirers. On the afternoon and evening of Thursday, Feb. 
14th, a donation visit was made at the parsonage, sixty persons taking 
tea together. On the following evening Miss Benham, Mrs. Losee, 
Mrs. Ann Van Etten, George A. Chatfield, Charles French, Charles 
Bissell and others were at the altar of prayer, and on the 20th Mrs. 
Lathrop and Miss Canfield were added. On Tuesday, Feb. 26th, after 
a sermon by the Rev. Morris Hill, Misses Martha Smith, Ellen French, 
Elizabeth Smith, Miss Gilyard and brother, Mrs. lies and Master Davis 
came forward and Mrs. Edward Smith rose for prayers. March 4th 
the new seekers were Mrs. Catharine Wyant, Mrs. Amos Bassett and 
George Rider. Wednesday, March 5th, Father French preached and 
eleven were at the altar, the new ieekers being Mrs. Dr. Bassett, Maria 
Baldwin and others. 

On Thursday, March 5th, five classes were organized. Saturday 
evening, March 8th, at general class-meeting seventy-two persons spoke, 
thirty-six of whom had been converted or reclaimed during the winter. 
On Tuesday evening, March 11th, Misses Seely, Lyon and Mary Cul- 
ver and Mrs. Collins confessed their need of Christ. March 14th six 
were forward for prayers, among whom was a Mr. Botsford, a teacher. 
Thursday evening, March 27th, after a sermon by Mr. Hill at Pines- 



26 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

bridge, three persons sought the Lord there. Friday evening, March 
28th, the Eev. (now Bishop) C. D. Foss preached from the words 
" Mighty to save " and Mrs. Esther Holbrook with some previous seek- 
ers came to the altar. 

Eev. Mr. Hill reported forty-seven probationers at the session of the 
conference held at Bridgeport June 18, 1856, and was reappointed to 
the Seymour and Great Hill charge. On Sunday, June 1st, the Eev. 
Joseph Smith, then a local preacher of Waterbury, began to preach 
monthly in the Seymour church for the conference year, thus taking 
half the work which Bro. Sylvester Smith had done the previous year, 
he continuing to preach one Sabbath every month. 

Mr. HilFs second year here passed without special interest other 
than the reception into full membership of a large number of the con- 
verts of the previous year. At the conference in April, 1857, he re- 
ported one hundred and thirty-seven members and fifteen probationers, 
and was appointed to the Stratford charge. 

It may be interesting to note the size of the congregations in those 
days : On Sunday, Feb. 22, 1857, a day of no unusual interest, one 
hundred and thirty persons were at church in the morning and one 
hundred and sixty in the evening. 

The benevolent collections for the conference year of 1856-7 were : 
For superannuated preachers $25, for conference claimants $25, for the 
missionary cause $75, for the Tract Society $10.18, for the American 
Bible Society $16.21, for the Sunday School Union $5; total $156.39. 




REV. SYLVESTER SMITH. 



27 



THE GILYAKD LEGACY. 

Thomas Gilyard, who died Nov. 12, 1853, left a will, which, in addi- 
tion to the bequests to the members of his family, also made a donation 
to the church of which he had long been a member and trusted officer. 
The will was destroyed, but a witnesses appeared at a Court of Probate 
held in New Haven Feb. 29, 1856, testified to the facts of the case, 
and the will was established. The parties cited were Win, S. Gilyard, 
Mrs. Weltha A. Gilyard, George Eoads, Miss Nancy Roads, Mrs. Lois 
Gilyard ; Sylvester Smith, Henry W. Benedict, Jared Bassett, William 
B. Watson, Samuel R. Hickcox and Shelden Miles, trustees ; Leman 
Chatfield and David Beach. The part of the will relating to the church 
reads as follows : 

" Second, I will and bequeath to the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal 
Society or Church at Seymour a certain piece of land containing about 
three acres, more or less, known and called " The Woods " or " Wood 
Lots," and to their successors in office forever, together with the right to 
water cattle at the spring in the corner of the spring lot, upon the follow - 
ing terras and conditions : 

First, they shall lease the same to my daughter-in-law, Weltha A. Gil- 
yard, for farming purposes during her life for the sum of six dollars a 
year rent therefor if she will take it upon such terras and pay six dollars 
yearly rent for it, but if she will not take it on such terms nor pay said 
annual rent then said trustees may rent said land to any other person for 
such annual rent as they can get during the lifetime of the said Weltha 
A. Gilyard, and at her decease the said trustees shall rent the said lots to 
her present children, or to such of them as may then be living, for six 
dollars a year, to be paid by such children therefor annually if they wish 
to rent the same upon such terms, but if they do not then such trustees 
may rent the same to the best advantage to any other person during the 
life or lives of such children or any of them, and when the said Weltha 
A. Gilyard and her said children have all deceased may rent the same 
annually or for a term of years to such person or persons and upon such 
terms as will best promote the objects of the bequest in their judgment. 

The rent or avails of said lots shall belong to the said Methodist Society 
at Seymour, and I recommend the said trustees to appropriate one half of 
it annually to the support of such worn-out Methodist preachers as they 
may think worthy of it and the other half to such missionary purposes as 



28 ANNALS OP; THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

they may think worthy of it, and in ease the time should ever come when 
said Methodist society shall cease to exist, then I will and bequeath the 
said lots to the town of Seymour, and in that case I recommend that said 
town appoint the selectmen of said town who shall reside nearest to the 
said lot at that time to take charge of the same for said town, and I 
recommend that he be allowed two dollars a year for his trouble in taking 
care of the same, and that he shall appropriate the balance of the annual 
rent thereof to the relief of the minister of the Gospel in said town whom 
he or they shall deem most in need of it." 

The land is situated on the east side of the Skokorat road, south' of 
the house of Horace Chatfield, and comprises three acres and three 
rods. It is inclosed by stone walls and is divided into two fields by a 
stone wall running north and south. 



In 1856 the Sunday school numbered fourteen teachers and forty-five 
scholars. The library contained six hundred and seventy volumes. 
Albert W. Lounsbury was the superintendent of the Sunday school, 
George M. Eddy secretary and Lugrand Sharpe treasurer. The parson- 
age was valued at $1,200 and the two churches at $5,500. 



29 



Pastorate op Rev. Thomas Stevenson. 
18B7-8. 

Rev. Thomas Stevenson was appointed to the pastorate of the Sey- 
mour and Great Hill churches in the spring of 1857, having been 
invited by Rev. W. T. Hill at the request of the official board, and 
remained two years. During his stay here occurred the great revival 
which swept like a tidal wave over many parts of the country. There 
was a great excitement in the Naugatuck valley, and among the re- 
markable incidents of that period many railroad employes came under 
religious influences to such an extent that prayer meetings were held 
in a freight car in the passage from one station to another. About 
sixty conversions took place in the Methodist church and about forty in 
the Congregational. The pastor afterward spoke of the church as com- 
posed of a kind, noble and generous people, with whom he spent two of 
the most delightful years of his ministry, and said there were in the 
church not a few examples of extraordinary piety and self-sacrifice, men 
and women of devoted lives and most blessed memory. 

An annual donation was a matter of course in those days. After one 
of these visits the pastor and his bride of only a few months found them- 
selves the possessors of twenty-one large loaves of cake, fruit cake, 
frosted and layered, and were not a little puzzled what to do with them. 
One evening, after a knock at the door, a comfortable and other useful 
articles were found in a bundle hung on the door knob, and from time 
a fine spare-rib was sent in, not less than a dozen during the winter, as 
tokens that the pastor was not forgotten by his parishioners. 

Dr. James Hodge, then living in Seymour and preaching temporarily 
in a Bridgeport church, often preached in the Methodist church during 
the week. Rev. Mr. Stevenson preached at Great Hill once in four 
weeks. 

Albert W. Lounsbury was superintendent of the Sunday school in 
1857, John H. Moshier secretary and Lugrand Sharpe treasurer. In 
1858 William S. Mallory was the superintendent. 



30 



SIXTEEN YEAES OF PROSPEEITY. 

18B9-75. 

Eev. L. P. Perry was the pastor in* 1859-60, confining his labors to 
this village, and was a faithful and useful minister. The writer was 
away at school at this time and there is nothing in the archives of the 
church which furnishes any account of the work of these two years. 
There is no available record of members received or of the finances of 
the society. 

Warren French was superintendent of the Sunday school in 1859, 
W. N. Storrs secretary and Lugrand Sharpe treasurer. 

Eev. Albert Booth was the pastor for the conference year commenc- 
ing in April, 1861. The trustees elected this year were Jared Bassett, 
Sylvester Smith, Warren French, Sheldon Miles, Henry W. Benedict, 
Smith Botsford and William N. Storrs. At the ensuing conference 
the pastor made the following report : Number of members 152, deaths 
3, probationers 6, local preachers 2, baptisms 5; value of churches 
$7,000, parsonage $1,500 ; officers and teachers in two Sunday schools 
22, scholars 85; number of volumes in the Sunday school libraries 
1,100. Benevolent contributions — Conference claimants $8.00, Mis- 
sionary Society $28.00, Tract Society $6.00, Bible Society $8.00, Sun- 
day School Union $6.00 5 total $56.00. W. N. Storrs was superin- 
tendent of the Sunday school, George S. Wyant secretary and Lugrand 
Sharpe treasurer. 

At the conference of 1862 Rev. George Lansing Taylor was appoint- 
ed to Seymour and Great Hill, this being his first itinerant work. In 
his first year the missionary collection was increased from $28 to over 
$100. At the conference of 1863 he reported 150 members, four deaths, 
four probationers, one local preacher, five baptisms, two Sunday schools 
with thirty-one officers and teachers, 124 scholars and 800 volumes in 
the library. In his second year the society raised $1,200 towards paying 
off the church debt, and there were a number of conversions. He was 
an earnest and fearless defender of the " stars and stripes," and in those 
troublous days spoke boldly for " the Union, one and inseparable." 




REV. GEORGE LANSING TAYLOR. 



183 4—8. 31 

At the conference of 1864 Rev. A. B. Pulling was appointed to the 
pastorate of Seymour and Beacon Palls. In the summer of that year 
a festival was held in a car shop on the flat and later in the season 
another in the Messrs. H. P. & B. Day's new brick factory. The net 
proceeds of the two were $800, with which the remainder of the debt 
on the church was paid off. At the end of his first year 154 members 
were reported for the two churches, with seven probationers and one 
death, 23 officers and teachers in the two schools, 176 scholars and 1,177 
volumes in the libraries. $48.68 was raised for the missionary cause 
and $15 for the conference claimants. No other particulars regarding 
the finances of the society were given in the conference minutes for 
that year. 

In the spring of 1866 Sylvester Smith was appointed to the charge 
for the year and the church edifice was painted outside. It being the 
centennial year of American Methodism, Mr. Smith preached eight 
sermons on the subject. Nineteen persons who had on the previous 
year joined on probation were received into full membership. At the 
annual meeting of the members of the society held in September under 
the state law Albert W. Lounsbury, Sheldon Miles and Willis Umber- 
field were elected trustees for one year ; Jared Bassett, Smith Botsford 
and Wilson E. Hendryx for two years, and Sylvester Smith, William 
K Storrs and Warren French for three years. 

Eev. Joseph Pulman was pastor in 1867-8. A series of revival 
meetings were commenced in December, 1867, and continued through 
January and February, 1868, resulting in quite a number of conver- 
sions. A series of similar meetings were commenced in the Congrega- 
tional church Feb. 9th under the direction of Eev. Allan Clark. Eev. 
Mr. Hill received sixty-five probationers at one time near the close of 
the first year. In April, 1868, there were 165 members and 75 proba- 
tioners. The benevolent contributions reported for the conference year 
1867-8 amounted to $106.55, including $65.75 for the missionary 
society. The pastor's salary was $800. At the election of trustees in 
1867 Sheldon Miles, Willis Umberfield and W. W. Dibble were chosen 
for three years. 

Sheldon Miles was superintendent in 1868, S. M. Shelden secretary 
and W. C. Sharpe treasurer. At the meeting for the election of trustees 
in September, 1868, Smith Botsford, A. W. Lounsbury and C. O. Nugent 
were elected. At the meeting for the organization of the board in 
October, the first of the kind of which the church has any record, Syl- 



32 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

vester Smith was elected president, Sheldon Miles treasurer and W. 
W. Dibble secretary. 

The " benevolent contributions" reported to conference amounted to 
$155.77, of which $107.33 was for the missionary cause. The collec- 
tions for the poor of the society amounted to $19.77. The pastor 
was paid a salary of $1,000, beside as usual the use of the parsonage 
and the customary donation. The membership numbered 201, with 
nine probationers. 

In the spring of 1869 Eev. Bennett T. Abbott was appointed to the 
pastorate. The parsonage was refurnished, reshingled and otherwise 
repaired and a new fence built entirely around the premises. W. O. 
Sharpe was the superintendent of the Sunday school, James K. Adams 
secretary and Lugrand Sharpe treasurer. The average attendance was 
eighty-eight. In the fall Sylvester Smith, Warren French and W. N. 
Storrs were re-elected trustees for three years. The benevolent collec- 
tions amounted to $139.75, including $91.95 for missions. The pastor's 
salary was $1,000. 

The first printed report of the finances of the society was made in 
December, 1869. Six festivals were held that year, netting respec- 
tively $47, $45, $70, $100.75, $82.15, $82 ; total from festivals $426.90. 
The slip rents collected amounted to about $740, collections $76.28, 
interest on the Stiles Johnson legacy $12, and several special subscrip- 
tions amounted to over $470, making a total of $1,725. The payments 
were : For repairing and furnishing the parsonage $250.95, to pre- 
siding elder $25, to sexton $115 ; interest, furnace, fuel, lights, etc., 
about $150, a note of $400 to Willis Umberfield, and the remainder 
on the pastor's salary. 

At the conference of 1870 Eev. Mr. Abbott was returned for another 
year. In this year the ground on which the present parsonage stands 
was purchased of Edwin Smith for $500. Mrs. M. A. Sackett can- 
vassed the society for funds to pay for it, and by her zeal and persever- 
ance succeeded in collecting the larger portion of the amount in 1870 and 
1871. The finances for the year, so far as can now be ascertained, were : 

RECEIPTS. 

Sliprents $1,035.80, monthly collections $73.39 $1,109 19 

Quarterly collections 36 50 

Subscription to pay for parsonage lot 243 00 

Subscription for fence, insurance, etc 100 49 

First festival $49.26, 2d $113.00, 3d $66.65, 4th $55.23 284 14 

Total $1,773 32 




REV. JOSEPH PULLMAN. 



B. T. ABBOTT— JOSEPH SMITH. 33 

PAYMENTS. 

Paid the pastor on previous year's salary $ 432.00 

Paid the pastor on current year's salary 1,000.00 

Paid on parsonage lot 356.00 

To presiding elder $36, insurance $37.75, fence $31.13 . . . 104.88 

For wood and cutting $32, lights $9 41.00 

Repairs $33.90, to Charles Edwards, sexton, $55.23 89.13 

Total, $2,023.01 

A balance of $14.38 was reported in the treasury Apr. 1, 1871, with 
an indebtedness of $280 at the bank for borrowed money and $34.77 for 
services of sexton. 

The trustees elected in the fall of 1870 were Sheldon Miles, S. H. 
Rankin and W. W. Dibble. 



Pastorate of Bev. Joseph Smith. 
1871—1874. 

In the spring of 1871 Rev. Joseph Smith was appointed to the pas- 
torate and was warmly received by the membership, to many of whom 
he was already well known. The older members remembered him in 
1847, when as a local preacher of great ability and zeal, living in 
Waterbury, he had occasionally preached in Seymour. 

His pastorate was one of faithful work and steady growth and was 
long a pleasant memory to those who had the pleasure of listening to 
his words. Years after Rev. Dr. Pullman wrote of him as follows: 

"Brother Smith was like a cube, never off his base, always symmet- 
rical and strong. There was also a beautiful blending of cheerfulness 
with his sobriety like sunlight on a tower or flowering vines on a fort- 
ress. We recall his cheerful greetings, the genial smile which spoke 
for the brotherly heart withiu. He possessed unusual mental vigor, 
and his sermons were always characterized by clear, sound thought ex- 
pressed in plain but lucid Saxon English, the whole arranged in fault- 
less proportion and unity. He had the reputation of never preaching 
a poor sermon. He was in absolute sympathy with the theological 
system which the Methodist fathers bequeathed to our Church, and 
yet there was no intolerance in him. Brother Smith's appointments 
were as follows: Stepney, 1858-59, two years; Ridgefield, two; New 



34 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

Britain, two; East Granby, two; Clinton, two; Stratford ? three; Sey- 
mour, three; Bedding, three; Roxbury and Springdale, two; South- 
port, three; Middlefield, three; Cornwall Bridge and Ellsworth, three; 
and Bloomfield, three years." 

The workers of this three years is shown in part by the list of official 
members. The stewards in 1871 were Warren French, A. W. Louns- 
bury, Sheldon Miles, Dennis Munson, W. BT. Storrs, W. W. Dibble, 
Clark Davis, Oscar Woodruff and Judson English. The class leaders 
were Warren French, A. W. Louosbury and C. C. Nugent. W. N. 
Storrs was treasurer of the society and W. W. Dibble was the secretary. 
The trustees elected in September were Lyman Botsford, W. C. 
Sharpe and T. S. Ladd. 

In the spring of 1872 Smith Botsford, Charles Edwards, W. E. 
Hendryx and C. H. Blanchard were added to the list of stewards. 
W. C. Sharpe was elected treasurer, and Joseph Hitchcock secretary. 
W. W. Dibble was the superintendent of the Sunday school, Lugrand 
Sharpe treasurer, Edward S. Downs librarian, and Wm. B. Sherman 
assistant librarian. The trustees elected in September were Warren 
French, H. B. Beecher and W. K Storrs. 

The stewards elected in the spring of 1873 were Warren French, 
Smith Botsford, Charles Edwards, W. C. Sharpe, A. W. Lounsbury, 
W. B. Sherman, S. E. Butler, W. E. Hendryx, C. C. Nugent. W. 
C. Sharpe was the recording steward and treasurer, A. W. Lounsbury 
collector, and C. N. Blanchard superintendent of the Sunday school. 

The trustees elected in the fall were Lugrand Sharpe, William Gil- 
yard and Edwin Smith. 



Pastorate of Kev, Wm. K. Webster. 
1874 5. 

In April, 1874, Rev. Wm. R. Webster was appointed to the pastor- 
ate and labored with great zeal and enthusiasm. Under his leadership 
it was voted to make the seats free and adopt a weekly system of pay- 
ments of such sums as should be subscribed for the regular expenses 
of the church. Under this system payments were made promptly and 
during his pastorate the plan of free seats and voluntary contributions 
was a success. 

Robert Matthews, Edward Botsford and Henry C. Rogers were 



WM. R. WEBSTER— E. H. DUTCHER. 35 

added to the board of stewards. Wilson E. Hendryx, Christopher C. 
Nugent and Frank H. Brewer were appointed exhorters. W. C. 
Sharpe was re-elected treasurer of the society, and Joseph Hitchcock 
secretary. In September Win. B. Johnson, James K. Adams and W. 
0. Sharpe were elected trustees for three years. Warren French was 
president and treasurer of the board of trustees and W. O. Sharpe clerk. 
The expenses for the year were: Pastor's salary $800, moving to 
Seymour $21.50, assessment for the presiding elder $46, for sexton 
$69.00, fuel and lights $55.08, parsonage furniture $95.24, other 
society expenses $34.55, total $1,123.37. The net receipts were: 
From slip rents and collections $875.00, two festivals $110.04, on sub- 
scriptions $60.20, from other sources $41.00; total $1,186.24. All 
bills were paid and the receipts exceeded the expenses by the sum of 
$62.87. The trustees received from rentals, &c, $182.50, and paid 
for taxes, interest and repairs $190.59. The pastor reported $126.46 
as raised for Sunday school purposes, for conference claimants $17.75, 
for missions $67.00, benevolent collections $25.30. At the close of 
the year there were reported 145 members and ten probationers. 



Pastorate of Key. E. H. Dutcher. 

1875-6. 

In April, 1875, Bev. E. H. Dutcher was sent by the conference for 
the ensuing year. From time immemorial annual meetings of the 
society had been held under the sanction of the laws of the common- 
wealth. With reference to these he said that there was under the 
law of the church no such thing as a Methodist society and that the 
separate organizations could only be known as Methodist churches. 
This was approved by the presiding elder and thereafter the business 
which had been done at the annual meetings of the society was left to 
the quarterly conferences, 

During the eight years preceding Lugrand Sharpe had been ap- 
pointed by the quarterly conference to collect for the missionary cause 
and the amounts contributed were: For the year commencing in April 
of 1867, $65.75; 1868, $107.33; 1869, $91.95; 1870, $158.73; 1871, 
$64,50; 1872, $68.22; 1873, $67.00; 1874, $61.00, as shown by the 
published minutes of the ]STew York East Conference. 

This spring a change was made and the amount contributed during 



36 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

the year was only $10, to which was added $3 from the interest on the 
G-ilyard legacy. 

The sum of $214.63 was expended in furnishing the parsonage. 
The receipts for the year were not sufficient to pay the current ex- 
penses and more than $500 of the proceeds of the Kirtland legacy 
were used to pay the deficiency on the pastor ? s salary and other arrear- 
ages. 

The stewards were D. A. Munson, Edward Botsford, Charles Ed- 
wards, Sheldon Miles, Eobert McKay, Wm. B. Sherman, S. E. But- 
ler, W. E. Hendryx and H. C. Eogers. D. A. Munson was record- 
ing steward and Sheldon Miles district steward. In the fall of 1875 
Warren French, H. B. Beecher and W. N. Storrs were re-elected 
trustees. 

At the close of the conference year the pastor reported 153 full 
members, eight probationers, two local preachers, two deaths during 
the year, one adult and seven children baptized, 138 scholars in the 
Seymour and Great Hill Sunday schools, 25 officers and teachers, 
average attendance 105; number of volumes in the library 426; 
valuation of the two churches $17,500; of the parsonage $3,100; 
indebtedness $500. 



April, 1876, to April, 1877. 

In April, 1876, the conference appointed Eev. Charles A. Tibbals, 
for the ensuing conference year. In December he resigned to join 
the Protestant Episcopal communion. Eev. A. B. Pulling, who was 
pastor of the society in 1864-5, was appointed by the presiding elder 
to fill the vacancy until the next session of the conference, and — not- 
withstanding his failing health — labored earnestly and efficiently for 
the good of society. 

The old pulpit was removed in the spring of 1876 at the request of 
Mr. Tibbals, and in February, 1877, an elegant black walnut pulpit 
was presented to the society by H. B. Beecher, Esq. It was first oc- 
cupied Feb. 4th by Eev. Aaron Pierce of East Village, who was 
the pastor of the church in 1848, a'nd his aged form and hoary locks, 
white with the frosts of eightynine winters, as he preached from 
2 Tim. 4, 7, constituted an occasion long to be remembered. 



37 



THE KIKTLAND LEGACY. 



Mrs. Harriet Kirtland, who died Oct. 20, 1865, left a will by which, 
after giving to her husband the use of her property during his lifetime 
and providing for the payment of certain legacies amounting to $638.51, 
she gave the residue of her property u to the Methodist Episcopal 
church of Seymour, for the use and benefit of said church. 7 ' She had 
given to her husband a deed of the south house and lot, and the mea- 
dow on the corner of Union and Maple streets, but the deed proved 
defective, and by the terms of the will the title to this also vested in 
the M. E. church. The matter was several times brought up in the 
business meetings of the church and deferred. At a meeting of the 
board of trustees July 7, 1873, on motion of Warren French, it was 
voted to give a quitclaim of the property in question for the sum of 
$200 in consideration of some expense which the church had incurred 
in relation to the property. The matter was brought up at the ensuing 
quarterly conference for final settlement, Mr. Kirtland having secured 
an able advocate in the person of a former pastor. He stated that he 
had taken the matter to the courts, but withdrew the case on the repre- 
sentation that the church would do him justice. It was argued that an 
oversight in executing the deed should not be taken advantage of by 
the church to deprive Mr. K. of the property which his wife intended 
to give him, and the action of the board of trustees was approved and 
the deed executed. 

This left the north house only for the benefit of the society and money 
was borrowed with which to pay the legacies in order that the church 
might perfect their title. In the spring of 1876 it was voted to sell the 
place, and W. K Storrs was appointed a committee to transact the 
business. $1,150 was received for the property, of which the commit- 
tee paid a note of $624.80 for money which had been borrowed to pay 
the legacies, $54.20 for shingling the house before the sale, $200 to 
Kev. E. H. Dutcher, and the remainder on debts which had been in- 
cuned for current expenses. 



38 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

Pastorate op Key. L. P. Perry, 

1859-60. 

(The following has been received since the preceding pages were printed and is therefore in 
serted here, out of the chronological order.) 

I was appointed to Seymour in 1859. Immediately after conference 
I had an attack of fever which prevented me from preaching for several 
Sabbaths. The plan was to preach once in four weeks at Great Hill. 
Bro. Frisbie supplied at Seymour the day I went to the Hill. I was 
cordially received by the people, and spent the two years pleasantly. An 
opening to go to a large city church occurred at the end of my first 
year, but as the people had been so kind to me I felt under obligations 
to stay with them. Quite a number of members were led into the en- 
joyment of full salvation, and quite a number converted. Our prayer- 
meetings were seasons of prayer, as also were our general class-meet- 
ings, which were held monthly. Some of those who were converted 
while I was in Seymour fell in the war of the Rebellion. There were 
also a very few conversions at Great Hill. 

Spencer H. Bray came among us an exhorter and was licensed to 
preach during my pastorate. At the close of my term the excitement 
preceding the war was quite deeply felt. I gave certificates to fourteen 
members who moved away the spring I left ; some of them went to 
Ansonia and some to New Haven. Some of these were active mem- 
bers of the official board and their loss was deeply felt. 

Quite a number of deaths occurred during my pastorate. Perhaps 
the most notable was that of Samuel R. Hickox, who had long been a 
local preacher and a useful member. He was as a father to the young 
converts, and his counsels to them and influence over them was of the 
most beneficial character. Young converts were brought forward in 
prayer as well as class-meeting, and were trained to work and became 
efficient helpers. 

It was a common occurrence to have responses during sermons, and 
the influence of them lingered with me as a sweet aroma in after years. 
The Hallelujah's of Warren French, who sat in the Amen corner, were 
thrilling and inspiring. 

My two years among the people of Seymour were laborious and 
pleasant to me and my family. Many that cheered me and co-operated 
with me have gone to the Glory world, and I expect to find them and 
enjoy everlasting fellowship with them and others there. 

L. P. PERRY. 



39 



THE NEW PARSONAGE. 



In the spring of 1875 the subject of building a parsonage adjoining 
the church was agitated, and finally at an official meeting, consisting of 
the stewards, class-leaders, trustees and superintendent, held at the 
parsonage, April 26th, 1875, the pastor presiding, it was voted to offer 
the " Kirtland Place" and the old parsonage for sale, preparatory to 
building a new parsonage. An offer being received the board of trus- 
tees met and appointed Warren French an agent to sell the old parson- 
age for $2,000, and W. C. Sharpe, Lugrand Sharpe and Warren French 
were appointed a building committee. Plans and estimates were ob- 
tained, and the contract was awarded to Thomas Sharpe for $2,300, 
of which $2,000 was met by the sale of the old parsonage. 

At a meeting of the trustees held on Monday evening, July 26th, 
present, Warren French, H. B. Beecher, Lugrand Sharpe, A. W. 
Lounsbury, W. N. Storrs, T. S. Ladd and W. O. Sharpe, it was moved 
and seconded to build an addition on the east side 5x13 feet, the cost 
of which had been estimated at $128. The object was to enlarge the 
middle room on the east side, now used as a dining-room. The motion 
was lost and the building completed according to the original plan. 

The well was sunk mostly in rock of a peculiar character, being in 
thin strata separated by layers of loam, which made the excavation 
more difficult than if in solid rock, as the blasts were liable to blow out 
between the seams. 

The addition on the rear for a kitchen was built in 1885, and further 
mention will be found under that date. The barn was built in 1883. 

The following is a copy of the deed of the parsonage lot. 

TO ALL PEOPLE TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME— GREETING : 

Know ye, that I, Edwin Smith, of the town of Seymour, State of Connecticut. For the con- 
sideration of a valuable sum of money received to my full satisfaction of Sylvester Smith 
Warren French, Smith Botsford, Sheldon Miles, Wm. N. Storrs, Wm. W. Dibble, Albert W. 
Lounsbury, Willis Umberfield and Christopher Nugent, trustees of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of said Seymour, do give, grant, bargain, sell and confirm unto the said grantees in 
trust for said church, one certain lot of land situated in said Seymour and bounded north by 
highway, east by land of Chas. L. Hyde, south by land of John Davis, and west by land cf 
the said Methodist church, containing half an acre more or less. 



40 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

To have and to hold the above granted and bargained premises, with the appurtenances 
thereof, unto them the said grantees and their successors in office, heirs and assigns forever, to 
them and their proper use and behoof. And also, I the said grantor do for myself, my heirs, 
executors and administrators, covenant with the said grantees, their successors, heirs and as- 
signs, that at, and until the ensealing of these presents, I am well seized of the premises as a 
good indefeasible estate in fee simple : and have good right to bargain and sell the same in 
manner and form as is above written ; and that the same is free from all incumbrances what- 
soever. 

And furthermore, I the said grantor do by these presents bind myself and my heirs forever, 
to warrant and defend the above granted and bargained premises, to them the said grantees, 
their successors, heirs and assigns against all claims and demands whatsoever. 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of February, A. D. 1870 
Signed, sealed and delivered 1 

in presence of 5 Edwin Smith, l. s. 

B. W. Smith, 

S. D. Russell. I hereby certify that the U. S. Internal Revenue 

stamp of 50c was affixed to the foregoing and 
duly cancelled. S. H. Canfield, Town Clerk. 

New Haven County, ss., Seymour, Feb. 24th, 1870. 
Personally appeared Edwin Smith, signer and sealer of the foregoing instrument, and ac- 
knowledged the same to be his free act and deed, before me, B. W. Smith 

J Commissioner of the Superior Court, 
I for New Haven County. 

Received for Record May 10th, 1870, 
and Recorded by S. H. Canfield, Town Clerk. 

The parsonage has been called one of the most pleasant in the Nau- 
gatuck valley. This may be owing much to its location and the fine 
rows of shade trees, as there are others in the valley on which far more 
money was expended. 

The first house on the east was the original parsonage, occupied in 
1790 by Eev. Benjamin Beach, who was the first pastor of the church 
on the same site as that now occupied by the M. E. church. 




REV. JOSEPH VINTON. 



41 



Pastorate of Rev. Joseph Vinton. 



I am asked to give a brief sketch of my ministry in Seymour, Ct. 
I cheerfully respond to this request, for they were three years that 
linger very pleasantly in my memory. In the revolution of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal itinerant wheel I was transferred from Woodbury to 
Seymour to become the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church in the 
spring of 1877. I arrived with my family on the evening of April 20th 
and was met at the depot by one of the official board, who took us in a 
carriage to the parsonage, where a goodly representation of the church 
met us and were introduced to us. After conversing for a while we 
were invited to a well-laden table and we supped together. This kind 
and Christian reception warmed our hearts toward this people at once. 

The following Sabbath we enjoyed preaching to them, and in the even- 
ing, at the invitation of the pastor, a goodly number of the church 
gathered around the altar and we prayed and sung and talked together 
and consecrated ourselves afresh to God and His service. At the close 
of the meeting we shook hands warmly together and began to feel quite 
at home, and from this time forward to the end of the three years we 
loved each other and worked and prayed together for the salvation of 
souls and the upbuilding of believers in holiness, and the blessing of 
God was upon us. 

A little incident occurred on the evening of the first week night prayer 
meeting after our arrival that seems worthy of mention. It was on the 
evening of April 27th. The moon fulled that night. I had ordered a 
load of slabs to be left in my yard with the intent of sawing and splitting 
them for kindling wood. On coming out of the prayer meeting that 
evening, imagine my surprise at hearing the sound of axes and saws at 
my wood pile, and on looking that way I saw by the moonlight several 
young men busy sawing and splitting my slabs. I gave them a pleasant 
salutation and went in and told my wife to spread the table and put on 
the best she had, for I was going to invite the boys in to a lunch. She 



42 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

cheerfully responded, and soon the job being done the young men accepted 
our invitation and came in and lunched with us. I thanked them heartily 
for their thoughtful kindness, chatted with them a little and then, on their 
departure, wished them a pleasant good evening. I said to my wife after 
they had gone that I coveted those young men for the Lord. 

The ring-leader of that little band, Arthur J. Smith, then in the print- 
ing offiee of brother William 0. Sharpe, was my first convert in Sey- 
mour, and nearly all the rest of the band were converted in the revival 
following. At present writing, nearly eight years after, Arthur J. Smith 
is a probationer in the New York East Conference, a stationed minister, 
and has won many souls for Jesus. Out of some thirty converted in 
that revival eight years ago, I am informed by one of the number that 
all are holding on their way heavenward with the possible exception of 
three or four. 

This revival commenced early in September, 1877, on this wise : 
About September 1st, a few days after our annual campmeeting, sev- 
eral reformed drunkards came over from Meriden to inaugurate a 
temperance movement. We received them warmly, threw open our 
church and invited them to speak therein. An interest rapidly sprung 
up along this line, and a large number signed the so-called iron clad 
temperance pledge and donned the blue ribbon as an outward sign of an 
inward resolve,, God helping them, to drink no more intoxicants. 

I made up my mind to leave no stone unturned to follow up this tem- 
perance reform with a revival of pure and undefiled religion, and it 
commenced at the first regular prayer meeting after the reformed men 
left us, in the conversion of the young man referred to above, and went 
on till some thirty were converted, and this without any outside help, 
save such as occasionally dropped in upon us, and with but few if any 
extra meetings. 

As the revival waned a little in Seymour, along in the winter I resolved 
to hold some extra meetings at Great Hill, and invited the converts to 
go out and help me. Our meetings commenced at Great Hill February 
6th, 1878, and almost at once souls commenced seeking the Lord, 
Several were converted, and among the number three over forty years 
of age, and two of them have been for the seven years since main stays 
in the little church, viz : Willard J. Tomlinson and Mrs. Marcus Davis* 

The finances of the church moved without friction. The running 
expenses of the year were paid with ease, and the benevolent collections 
were larger than usual. 



PASTORATE OF REV. JOSEPH VINTON. 43 

Early in my second year in Seymour (1878) the people seemed to 
think the time had come for improving the outer temple of the church. 
We started out with the idea of frescoing the audience room, but one 
advance step led to another, so that before we had finished we had fres- 
coed the audience room, painted the interior wood work, reshingled the 
roof, put on eave troughs, reseated and frescoed the lecture room, and 
put in a new heater, all of which cost some $900. We raised the 
money chiefly by voluntary subscriptions and paid the debt. 

There were several valuable additions to the church this year. Among 
the number was Thomas Sharpe, concerning whom it may be said, seven 
years later, that he has proved as active and useful a member as the 
church has had, for several years has been Sabbath School superintend- 
ent. He is a liberal giver and a whole-souled man. 

Mr. H. B. Beecher, a well known manufacturer, was a faithful attend- 
ant and liberal supporter of the church financially, and was reclaimed 
from a backslidden state and joined the church on probation either this 
or the following year, but within a year of my departure from Seymour 
was thrown from his carriage and fatally injured, lingered a few days, 
not clearly conscious, and died, we trust, in the Lord. The class of pro- 
bationers received the year previous were nearly all received into full 
membership. 

Early in the third year of my ministry in Seymour occurred a most 
remarkable conversion of an old and very wicked man by the name of 
Ira G. Farrell. He was awakened alone in the saw mill which at the 
time he was tending, apparently without any immediate human instru- 
mentality, by hearing ringing in his ears " turn to the Lord and seek 
salvation." This was repeated again and again during his waking hours 
for some two weeks before he let any one know of it, but finally had to 
let it be known. I heard through a neighbor that he was in trouble and 
called to see him, and invited him to come to church. He said he would 
if I would preach on John 14 : 12, 13 and 14. I promised to do it and 
he came to the church for the first time, save to a funeral, in twenty-five 
years. He was soundly converted and united with the church July 
7th, 1879, and became after a regular church attendant and a pattern 
of godliness. 

Late in this year a lady evangelist by the name of Clark, a very sweet 
gospel singer, helped me for a few weeks. In connection with her labors 
there were two marked cases of reclamation from a backslidden state, 
viz: Win, II. Houghtaling and Theodore S. Ladd. Six years later they 



44 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

are holding steadily on their way heavenward. My term of service in 
Seymour closed very pleasantly in the spring of 1880. Just before my 
departure, in addition to paying me up in full, at the close of an even- 
ing meeting, a happy surprise was sprung upon us. A beautiful eagle's 
nest was presented to us in a handsome and unique speech by William 
N. Storrs. These proved to be golden eagles, and were worth to the 
receivers at least $110. Also two beautiful and comfortable easy chairs 
were presented by the friends at Great Hill. This last present was 
engineered largely by two noble-souled women, Sisters Tolles and 
Davis, the latter of whom, with Willard J. Tomlinson, were converted 
during my first year's ministry in Seymour. 

I will close my record of this pleasant and prosperous term of service 
by giving all the glory to God, to whom it belongs — " He doeth the 
works." Also by saying I trust when the general roll call comes there 
will be a goodly number from Seymour to welcome me and mine at the 
beautiful gate. God grant we may all meet "in heaven above where 
all is love." 

JOSEPH VINTON. 

SOUTHINGTON, Aug. 13, 1885. 




REV. C. W. LYON. 



ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 45 

Pastorate of Eev. 0. W. Lyon. 

1880-1883. 

(Eeport to Quarterly Conference, March, 1883.) 

We found the church in a prosperous condition through the minis- 
try of its former pastor, the Eev. Joseph Vinton. And although he 
was much beloved, the people received us at once as a messenger from 
the Lord, and they have manifested a disposition to co-operate with us 
in every good work ; and their many acts of kindness and prayers will 
be cherished with unfailing pleasure. 

In reviewing our work for the past three years, we are thankful 
that with the help of the church and the blessing of Heaven, we are 
able to report a fair measure of prosperity. 

The Sabbath services have been well attended, especially during 
the past year. We have enjoyed preaching the Gospel, and the con- 
gregation has manifested delight in hearing the "Old, old story, of 
Jesus and his love." 

Former pastors unite in representing the prayer meetings of this 
church as the best in their entire ministry ; and they have appeared to 
continue a means of grace to all who have thus waited on the Lord. 
We found a devoted band of young men and women engaged in hold- 
ing a weekly prayer meeting, which has constantly increased in inter- 
est and usefulness ; and these young people are active in other 
departments of church work. 

The class meetings have been fairly attended, and we find that 
those who use this means of grace are among the most spiritual and 
zealous members of the society. Some marked conversions have 
occurred in the class meetings, as well as in the young people's services. 

The Sabbath School, under the direction of Mr. Thomas Sharpe, 
has been remarkably prosperous. (See Sunday School report for 
increase in attendance, &c.) 

The benevolent contributions of 1881 were $193.06. Of this 
amount a lady friend contributed $40 to the Woman's Foreign Mission- 
ary Society. The offerings of last year were $173, and those of the 
present year will be about the same. The Secretary of the General 
Missionary Society is appealing to the Churches most earnestly for S15 
addition to their average contributions, so as to send out one thousand 
new missionaries to pagan lands. We hope to secure this extra 



46 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

amount. Who will assist us in making this most commendable enter- 
prise a perfect success? 

About $700 have been expended in refurnishing the Lord's house, 
and in grading, fencing, and otherwise improving the church grounds. 
The Ladies' Aid Society has rendered efficient aid in this work, beside 
paying $200 on the church property, leaving an indebtedness on the 
parsonage of somewhat less than $500. The current expenses of the 
present year have been met with remarkable promptness. 

About $300 have been paid for improvements on the church 
property at Great Hill. The attendance and general interest there 
have increased, especially during the present year. This little flock 
appreciates the aid and kindness bestowed by the choir and other 
members at Seymour. 

Thirteen marriage services have been performed. Twenty-seven 
persons have been baptized. Seventeen members have removed by 
certificate, two without letters. Seven members have died in peace, 
viz : Lyman Botsford, Henry Beecher, Warren French, Mrs. Emily 
Hubbell, Mrs. Margaret Parmelee, Mrs. Susan Eogers and Mrs. Kate 
Kane. The following persons have been received from probation into 
full connection : Emma Coney, Fannie Coney, Joseph W. Crowther, 
Mrs. Sarah J. Crowther, John C. Crowther, Nellie DeForest, Olin L. 
Dibble, Dwight Garrett, Burton W. Holbrook, W. 1ST. Houghtaling, 
Mrs. Helen S. Losee, H. A. Eadford and Walter A. Wooster ; and at 
Great Hill — Mrs. Mary Downs. Thirteen persons remain on probation. 

Twenty-seven members have been received by letter, namely : Mrs. 
Elsie C. Buckingham (resides in Oxford), Mrs. Nancy Chamberlin, 
Mrs. S. M. Calkins, Michael Coleman, Stanton Dennison, Mrs. Helen 
F. Dennison, Mrs. Wilbur Doolittle, Hobart E. Francis, Mrs. Josephine 
J. Francis, W. H. Gladwin, Mrs. Margaret Gladwin, Charles H. Jorey, 
Mrs. Buth E. Jorey, Willis A. Kane, Mrs. Kate Kane, Mrs. Augusta 
Lathrop, Joseph N. Lewin, Mrs. Emma Lewin, James Maybury, Mrs. 
Sarah J. Maybury, Mrs. Phebe Sperry, Owen D. Sykes, Mrs. Nellie 
E. Sykes, John Tocher, Mrs. J. Tocher, Letsom T. Wooster, Mrs. 
Julia Wooster, Emma Wooster and Nellie Wooster. The present mem- 
bership is one hundred and seventy, including nineteen at Great Hill. 

Twenty-one persons were received on probation on Sunday, March 
18th, 1883, at an average age which promises success in the Christian 
life. A gracious revival is now in progress. Efficient aid has beeu 



PASTORATE OF REV. C. W. LYON. 47 

rendered by the Kev. Samuel A. Bums of Leominster, Mass. The 
church is united and prayerful for the conversion of the unsaved. 

The church of the future will be a revival church, and one of its char- 
acteristics in connection with the operations of the Spirit and the Truth, 
will he the patient and persistent efforts of its members for the salvation 
of the lost. It is a joy to the pastor to see so many of the members, 
especially of the young men, engaged in this work of personal effort, 
and he trusts that these Mends of Jesus will not be weary in well-doing. 

Flesh and blood cannot endure a perpetual series of special ser- 
vices. The time will come when these extra meetings will be discon- 
tinued ; yet the spirit and design of a revival may continue until Jesus 
comes, and will if " the church continues steadfast in the Apostles' 
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers." 

The church of the future will testify before men to the saving power 
of Christ. It will seek to remove the embarrassments in the way of 
the unsaved, and will strive to induce them to accept the great salva- 
tion at once. The aggressive and successful church will seek to reach 
the masses, and it will reach them by some means such as the love of 
God will devise. The members of the church who are to be presented 
faultless " before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,' ? will 
go out among the by-ways and hedges, and urge the ungodly to come 
into the heavenly kingdom. 

The pastor advises the active and zealous brethren to hold one extra 
prayer meeting or Bible reading service on Thursday evening in a 
remote part of the town, especially among the poor or the aged members 
of the church. Let the older and the younger members of the society 

•gether. On moonlight evenings, once a quarter, give the church 
at Great Hill a service. Let the young brethren learn to explain the 
Scriptures to the people, and they will benefit others and grow them- 
selves thereby. Such services, if kept up during the entire year, would 
tend to perpetuate a revival spirit and influence, and bring many souls 
to Christ who otherwise would be lost. 

A class has been organized, to meet Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock, 
for the religious nurture of the children of the congregation. This will 
be one of the most important services of the church, and if it has the 
prayers and co-operation of the church, it will produce the richest and 
the most enduring results. 

C. W. LYO:N x , Pastor. 
Seymour, March 21, 1883. 



< w 



43 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

OFFICIAL MEMBEES AKD COMMITTEES. 

March 30 ? 1883. 

Pastor in Charge : Rev. C. W. LYON. 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 

Elected in 1880. Elected in 1881. Elected in 1882. 

Thomas Sharpe, A. W. Lounsbury, Sheldon Miles, 

Joseph Hitchcock, W. N. Storrs, W. W. Dibble, 

W. C. Sharpe, J. W. Rogers, H. B. Wooster. 

.President, T. Sharpe; Secretary, H. B. Wooster ; Treasurer, W. C. Sharpe. 

STEWARDS. 

S. R. Butler, W. C. Sharpe, W. N. Storrs, Chas. Edwards, C. H. Guild, 

Joseph Hitchcock, E. T. Kelsey. 

For Great Hill— Eli Gillette and J. W. Tomlinson. 

Eecording Steward: W. C. Sharpe. 

District Steward : W. N. Storrs. Treasurer: S. R. Butler. 

Collector : Charles H. Guild. 

CLASS LEADERS. 

A. W. Lounsbury, H. B. Wooster, Carl Carlson, W. W. Dibble. 
Great Hill — J. W. Tomlinson. 

COMMITTEES. 

On Missions : A. W. Lounsbury, Dwight Garrett, Charles Guild. 

On Sunday Schools : A. W. Lounsbury, W. N. Storrs, H. B. Wooster, 

T. S. Ladd, John Schofield. 
On Temperance : H. B. Wooster, Carl Carlson, T. Sharpe. 
On Tracts : Mrs. M. A. Sackett, E. T. Kelsey, Harry O'Meara. 
On Education : T. Sharpe, Edward Holbrook, E. T. Kelsey. 
On Church Records: H. B. Wooster, T. Sharpe. 
On Parsonage and Furniture : T. Sharpe, and the officers of the Ladies' 

Aid Society. 
On Church Music : H. B. Wooster, Sheldon Miles, W. N. Storrs. 

ladies' aid society. 

Mrs. W. C. Sharpe, President. Mrs. S. H. Rankin, Treasurer. 

Mrs. F. C. Gerard, Secretary. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL. 

T. Sharpe, Superintendent. Edward Holbrook, Librarian. 

Wm. H. Gladwin, Ass't SupH. E. T. Kelsey, AssH, Librarian. 

W. C. Sharpe, Recording Secretary. John S. Moshier, Rec. Librarian. 

E. C. Sharpe, S. S. Secretary. Harry O'Meara, Chorister. 

Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury, Treasurer. Effie Davis, Organist. 

teachers. 

Class. Class. Class. 

1 Mrs. Wilson Wyant. 8 Miss S. E. Dibble. 15 Miss E. E. Wooster. 

2 Mrs. W. C. Sharpe. 9 Mrs.A.W. Lounsbury .16 W. W. Dibble. 

3 G. W. Burroughs. 10 Mrs. F. C. Gerard. J 7 S. R. Butler. 

4 W. C. Sharpe. 11 Chas. H. Guild. 18 Mrs. W. W. Dibble. 

5 Miss Rosa McKay. 12 Joel Chatfield. 19 Mrs. C. W. Lyon. 

6 Mrs. G. L. Bartlett. 13 Harry O'Meara. 20 Mrs. Warren French. 

7 Mrs. Kate Wyant. 14 Mrs. H. F. Moshier. 21 L. T. Wooster. 

$106.00 have been contributed during the past year to assist the churches at Beacon 
Ealls and West Haven. Nineteen persons joined the church on probation, March 25th. 






PASTORATE OF REV. C. W. LYON. 49 



FINANCES— 1880-82. 



The parsonage was handsomely prepared for the reception of the 
new pastor in the spring of 1880 by cleaning and painting, new carpet- 
ing, etc., but this was not allowed to hinder the reduction of the debt 
upon the parsonage, which was especially favored by H. B. Beecher, 
T. Sharpe, H. B. Wooster, and Warren French, of the Board of 
trustees, and Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury, treasurer of the Ladies' Aid 
Society, who labored earnestly, faithfully and successfully for this 
purpose. Mrs. 0. W. Lyon was a leader in the work of the Ladies 7 
Aid Society, as in all good works. By the payment of $200 to S. E 
Eider the indebtedness on the parsonage was reduced to $462.00. 
The cemetery was surveyed by John Harger of Oxford, by vote of the 
Board of Trustees. The ground already occupied was carefully indic- 
ated so for as could be ascertained, and a copy of the map was by 
order of the trustees placed on file with the town records. As a sum- 
mary of the efforts to raise funds in the spring and summer of 1880 the 
following is taken from the report of Sept. 1st of that year. 

Proceeds of Festival of May 18th, $104.61 

of Festival of July 5th, 62.55 

of Sociables at W. C. Sharpe's, Mar. 1 and Aug. 12 15.41 
Proceeds of Sociable at house of H. B. Wooster, March 30, 7.63 

Wm. W. Dibble, April 15, 4.88 
Warren French, April 22, 9.00 
James Nichols, April 29, - 6.04 
A. W. Lounsbury, May 5, 8.00 
M. E. Parsonage, May 12, 9.64 
George A. Smith, June 3, 8.75 
Sheldon Mills, June 17,.- 8.14 
F. W. Pulford, June 24,.. 14.50—256.14 



50 annals of the seymour m. e. church. 

Summary of Finances, April, 1880, to April, 1881. 

Cash on hand April 5, 1880 $ 9.28 

From Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury, treasurer of the Ladies' Aid Society, 256.14 

Subscription to pay interest, 20.00 

Other subscriptions, 129.72 

Pew rents, 729.79 

Collections, weekly, quarterly, and for poor, 158.38 

Sale of burial lots, etc., 24.75 

Total, $1,323.06 

EXPENDITURES. 

To Rev. C. W. Lyon, Pastor $800.00 

To Rev. G. A. Hubbell, Presiding Elder, 36.00 

To Charles Edwards, Sexton, 75.00 

Parsonage repairs and furnishings, 50.67 

Pastors' moving expenses, 22.85 

Fuel and lights, 41.91 

To the poor, $10.00, sundries, $14.27, 24.27 

Survey and map of cemetery, - 24.75 

Interest on parsonage debt for one year, 39.72 

Paid on principal of parsonage debt, 200.00 

$1,315.23 
Cash in treasury 7.83 

Total, $1,323.06 

In the summer of 1881 extensive improvements were made in 

front of the church under the direction of T. Sharpe and W. 1ST. Hough - 

taling, who were appointed a committee for that purpose. The grounds 

in front and to the west of the church were graded, concrete walks 

made, and a heavy railing put up in front in keeping with the style of 

the church. The sluice under the street was continued through the 

low ground, which were then filled in with gravel from the premises of 

S. H. Eankin, who was preparing to build a dwelling house on Maple 

street. The expenses of this work were as follows : 

Laying drain, filling and grading, $190.25 

Iron railing, posts and labor, 114.00 

Concrete walks, 68.85 

Sundries, 8.90 

Total, $382.00 



FASTORATE OF REV. C. W. LYON. 51 
RECEIPTS. 

From the Ladies' Aid Society, $156.55 

Subscriptions, $140.80. Sundries, $1.80, 142.60 



Total, $298.85 
This left an unpaid balance of $85.70, which was soon provided 
for. The work was agreed upon with great unanimity and the necess- 
ary funds were freely contributed. Included in the receipts of the 
Ladies' Aid Society were the proceeds of a festival held June 16th, 
amounting to $92.00. 




52 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



FINANCES— 1882-3. 



The finances of the church for the conference year ending April 10, 
1883, were as follows: 

RECEIPTS. 

Cash in the treasury April, 1882, 88c, sundry receipts, $2.25 $ 3.13 

Receipts from pew rent, 895.25 

Collections for current expenses, 235.71 

Special Subscriptions, 323.50 

Sunday-school collections for Sunday-school work, 253.00 

From Mrs. S. H. Rankin, Treasurer of Ladies' Aid Society- 
Proceeds of Sociable at house of Mrs. French. May 2, 1882, $ 9.07 

H. B. Wooster, May 26,.. 9.00 

T. Sharpe, June 8, 16.12 

Proceeds from Strawberry Festival June 16, 30.00 

Proceeds of Sociable at Parsonage Oct. 12, 14.00 

at house of W. C. Sharpe, Oct. 26... 11.79 
F. C.Gerard, Dec. 7,-.. 10.05 
T. Sharpe, Dec. 21, 11.27—111.30 

$1,821.89 

BENEVOLENT COLLECTIONS. 

For Missionary Cause, including $64.50 from Sud day-school 105.00 

For the Bible Society 7.50 

For the Educational Fund, Children's Day Collection 23.00 

For Freedmen's Aid Society 12.00 

For American Bible Society 7.50 

For Superanuated Preachers 25.00 

For the Beacon Falls and West Haven Churches 106.00—286.00 

Total, $2,107.89 

PAYMENTS. 

Balance of Pastor's salary for previous year $ 50.00 

Balance on insurance 20.69 



PASTORATE OF REV. C. W. LYON. 53 

Pastor's salary for current year 800.00 

Gift to Pastor 100.00 

To Rev. Mr. Tolles for preaching Conference Sunday 3.00 

To Rev. Mr. Wing for preaching in Pastor's absence 3.00 

To Rev. S. A. Burnes for evangelistic work 109.00 

' To Presiding Elder, $36.00, to Bishop $8.00 44.00 

Paid to Sextons, including $14.50 on previous year 100.00 

66 copies " Gospel Hymns" 10.61 

Transportation of tent to and from camp meeting 5.00 

Fuel, $46.03; lights, $8.29 54.32 

Sundries 20.53 

Interest on parsonage debt 28.50 

Sunday-school expenses for library, &c 253.00 

Benevolent Collections forwarded 286.00 

Parsonage furnishings 8.30 

Cushions for pews 200.00 

Balance in Steward's treasury 11.94 

$2,107.89 
A hundred dollars or more was raised for various church purposes of 
which no permanent record was made. 

The Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for Great Hill reported : 

RECEIPTS. 

Receipts from Ladies' Aid Society $222.14 

Cash in Ansonia Bank '. 345.00 

Interest to July 1, 1882 36.70 

$603.84 

EXPENSES. 

Painting outside of church $60.00 

Stove and Register, $14.00; Sexton's bill, $5.00 — 19.00 

Carpet and matting, $50.00 ; lettering wall, $19.00 69.00 

Painting and repairs inside 62.00 

Lumber and materials 8.14 

Tuning organs, $2.00; lamps, $2.00 4.00 

Total expenses $222.14 

Cash in Bank 381.70 

$603.84 
About $150.00 was also collected at Great Hill and paid to the Pastor. 



54 



ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



Officers of the Board of Trustees. 



(There is no record earlier than the following.) 



WHEN ELECTED. 
1866, 

Oct. 10, 1868, 
June 10, 1872, 
Mar. 24, 1873, 
Sept. 23, 1873, 

1874, 

Sept. 27, 1875, 
Sept, 28, 1876, 
Oct. 22, 1877, 
Oct. 4, 1878, 
Sept. 29, 1879, 
Oct. 11, 1880, 
Oct. 13, 1881, 
Nov. 9, 1882, 
Sept. 24, 1883, 
Nov. -.,1884, 



PRESIDENT. 

Sylvester Smith, 
W. N. Storrs, 
Sheldon Miles, 
Warren French, 
Warren French, 
W. N. Storrs, 
W. N. Storrs, 
W. N. Storrs, 
W. N. Storrs, 
W. N. Storrs, 
W. N. Storrs, 
W. N. Storrs, 
Thomas Sharpe, 
Thomas Sharpe, 
Sheldon Miles, 



SECRETARY. 

Sylvester Smith, 
W. W. Dibble, 
W/W. Dibble, 
W. W. Dibble, 
W. C. Sharpe, 
W. C. Sharpe, 
W.C. Sharpe, 
W. B. Johnson, 
Jos. Hitchcock, 
Jos. Hitchcock, 
W. C. Sharpe, 
H. B. Wooster, 
H. B. Wooster, 
H. B. Wooster, 
Dennis Munson, 
Dennis Munson. 



TREASURER. 



Sheldon Miles. 
Sheldon Miles. 
Sheldon Miles. 
Warren French. 
Warren French. 
W. C. Sharpe. 
Sheldon Miles. 
W. W. Dibble. 
H. B. Beecher. 
W. C. Sharpe. 
W. C. Sharpe. 
J. W. Rogers. 
W. C. Sharpe. 
W. W. Dibble. 
L. T. Wooster. 



VALUATION OF CHURCH PROPERTY. 

This subject comes up annually, at the fourth annual conference, 
and in view of the wide variance of these estimates, the following state- 
ment of the estimates of past years may be convenient for reference. 
1857— Parsonage, $1,200 Sey. and Gt. Hill churches, $55,00. Total, $6,700 
1862-3 " 1,500 " " " 70,00. Total, 8,500 

1865— Parsonage, 1,500 " and Beacon Fall?, $7,000. Gt. Hill ch. 2,500 

1868 Parsonage, $2,000 Seymour and Great Hill Churches, 12,000 

1869-72— " 2,000 " " " " " 14,500 

1873-5— " 2,500 " " " " " 14,500 

1876 " (new) 3,100 " " " " " 17,500 

1877 " 3,000 " " " " " 12,000 

1878-9— " 3,000 " " " " " 10,000 

1880 " 3,000 " " " " " t 13,000 

1881 and 1882 " 2,500 " " " " " 10,000 

1883-4-5 " 3,000 " " " " " 10,000 

— " 3,300 " " " " " 10,000 






Pastoeate of Key. H. Q. Judd. 



There is no more inviting field of labor on this earth, in my opinion, 
for a Methodist itinerant than the Naugatuck valley. u Beautiful for 
situation " — located near enough to the metropolis of the nation, so that 
three hours' ride in steam cars lands us in the heart of the great city of 
New York. Any one of its villages is within two hours by rail of the 
capital of the state. The valley is accessible by rail from the east, the 
west and the north, and has, some portions of the year, steamboat travel 
from New York up to the mouth of the river that gives it the name of 
Naugatuck. 

The valley, aside from its many thriving villages and one city, has 
many, very many, natural attractions. The river, from which the val- 
ley takes its name, is a beautiful stream, furnishing the power for many 
of the flourishing manufactories that line its banks from Winsted to 
Birmingham. No more charming drives can be found in Connecticut 
than along the banks of this river. The landscape in certain portions 
of it, as for instance near and above Seymour, High Eock Grove, 
Naugatuck, and indeed in every part of it, surpasses almost anything 
conceivable until seen, and certainly is most charming to a lover of 
nature. Eocky delis, abrupt cliffs, roaring torrents, beautiful cascades, 
foaming cataracts, and forests of young chestnuts, oaks and hemlocks, 
rare flowers in summer and birds of beautiful plumage mingling their 
notes with the sound of many waters, makes portions of this valley an 
Eden. 

Its towns and cities are like so many hives of bees in point of 
industry, and no place for drones. The villages are among the most 
beautiful in the land. Towering chimneys, great factories, many man- 
sions, beautiful and comfortable homes, new, neat and commodious 
churches, public halls, and in many places fine school buildings. These 
things speak volumes for the enterprise and thrift of the population of 
this valley. What wonder that the undersigned should hear his name 



5$ 



ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



read out for a fourth time for an appointment in this beautiful valley, 
with much resignation and without a murmur or complaint, in the spring 
of 1883, and this time for Seymour and Great Hill. In 1872 it was 
Wolcotville, in 1875 Watertown, in 1878 Thomaston — in each of which 
places I was permitted to stay my full term of three years. 

I entered upon my ministry at Seymour under most favorable auspices. 
My predecessor, under the advice of the officers of the church, had 
invited Eev. S. A. Burns, an able and successful evangelist, of good 
repute in the churches, to labor in this field. He did so for three weeks 
with good results, more than thirty I think being added to the church as 
probationers. Another engagement called the evangelist away, and Con- 
ference week Brother Lyon was also called away. Eev. Arthur Smith 
was invited to be present on Conference Sabbath and also to l#bor during 
the interval of Conference to some extent. He did much good and 
showed himself a man of God, some being led to the altar during his 
stay. 

Never before in my ministry have I entered upon a field under such 
delicate and yet delightful circumstances. The church all alive, sinners 
crying u What must I do to be saved V 9 and God's spirit brooding over 
the community. Most earnestly did I pray for divine guidance and help 
in this hour, and I think God heard my prayer. I was wonderfully 
helped and entered immediately upon the work of soul -saving. 

Eev. S. A. Burns returned for another week of effort with me, and 
as a result many more were added to the Lord. I do not remember 
the exact number, but I think our list showed nearly thirty new conver- 
sions, most of them being persons of much promise. To train these 
young converts and lead them on in their Christian life, to administer 
baptism to many of them and afterwards receive into full membership 
a large proportion of them, was my delightful work during the first 
summer of my Seymour pastorate. 

I think I can safely say that I had the hearts of the Seymour people 
from the beginning — and right heartily did they co-operate with me in 
my ministry among them. Many improvements were made to our prop- 
erty. The Sunday School, after the revival, grew to such dimensions 
under the faithful administration of its efficient superintendent, Thomas 
Sharpe, that it became necessary to provide increased accommodations. 
It was voted by the official board to take out the partitions between lec- 
ture room and class rooms and make all into one room. This was done 
and new carpets purchased, new chairs of a substantial kind were sub- 



PASTORATE OF REV. H. Q. JUDD. 5/ 

stituted for the old settees, and paint and kalsomine transformed the 
place into as pleasant and commodious lecture and Sunday School room, 
with accommodations for over two hundred people, as can be found out- 
side of the cities. At my request a new barn was built on the parsonage 
lot, and the Ladies' Aid Society thoroughly repaired and renovated the 
parsonage, making it very pleasant for the pastor and his family. I 
cannot too heartily commend the liberality of this people, for according 
to their means I must give them the foremost place in my estimate of 
their liberality towards the church and its interests. May God return 
an hundred fold in blessings upon them. Mrs. Judd and myself hold 
them in grateful remembrance for their thoughtful and provident care 
of us. 

At Great Hill were a few scattered sheep of various folds to whom I 
preached the Word once on each Sunday. In the fall of 1883 a four 
days' meeting was planned for them and it was a season of refreshing 
to the members. At my invitation Eev. Friend W. Hoyt of Shelton, a 
local preacher of blessed spirit, began to come to Great Hill on Sunday 
evenings, and later, several evenings in the week, thus supplementing 
my own efforts for that people. A precious little revival followed this 
effort in which some twenty persons were converted. I received several 
of these on probation, and after a probation of six months ten or more 
were received by me into full membership. 

One of the saddest occurrences during my many pastorates occurred 
while at Seymour in 1883. One of the choice spirits in my official 
board when I went to Seymour I found in Horace Wooster, of the Sey- 
mour Manufacturing Co., a man of culture, a good business man, a 
kind husband and father, a brotherly and warm hearted member of our 
church in Seymour, holding the offices of trustee and class leader, a 
teacher also in the Sunday School. In an untimely moment the frame 
of an arch of masonry near the brass works fell upon him and nearly 
crushed him to death. He died before morning, leaving messages full 
of comfort to his friends, assuring them that all was well with his soul. 
It was a sad blow to his family, the church and the community. His 
men wept as though their hearts were broken, they loved him so much. 
He was a "good man, full of faith and the Holy Ghost," a noble worker 
for Christ. 

The second year of my pastorate in Seymour was uneventful save in 
one respect. In the fall of 1884 the republican party selected the pastor 
of the M. E. Church as a candidate and elected him to the legislature 



Of ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

of the state. It was an honor entirely unsought and unexpected, yet 
gratefully received. The duties of the position did not seriously inter- 
fere with those of the pastorate, while it gave enlarged opportunity for 
studying men and things, which the writer feels sure he did not neglect. 
A bill for the suppression of impure literature was introduced by the 
undersigned, successfully carried through both Houses, received the 
signature of the Governor and became a law. It has resulted in the 
banishment from the state of many papers of the baser sort, as news- 
dealers utterly refuse to lay themselves liable to law for the uncertain 
profit of an illegal sale of such poison. God grant that it may yet be 
entirely banished from all our fair land. 

Tours fraternally, 

HOEACE Q. JUDD. 
Woodbury, Nov. 24th, 1885. 



PASTORATE OF REV. H. Q. JTJDD. 59 

Finances of the Conference year ending April 8, 1884. 

Report of the Treasurer of the Board of Stewards. 

RECEIPTS. 

Cash in the Treasury April 1st, 1883 $ 29.94 

From pew rents 966.76 

From Collections. - . . . 157.72 

Subscription tor barn and basement improvements 338.00 

Total, $1,492.42 

PAYMENTS. 

To Rev. H. Q. Judd on {salary $820.00 

(Salary $1,000 ; $150 paid at Great Hill, $30 due,) 

Pastor's moving expenses 13.52 

To Presiding Elder.... 36.00 

To C. F. Northrop, Sexton, including allowance on sliprent 125.00 

Carpet sweeper, oil, pails, sundry repairs, etc., 39.90 

To W. N. Storrs, interest on note 28.50 

Transportation of tent to and from Camp Ground 5.73 

Coal $16.80, wood $14,00, cutting and piling $6.26 37.06 

Iusurance on barn, etc 14.65 

Supplies from book concern, etc., :.- - 23.93 

Barn. $264.00; improvements in lecture room, $85.66 349.66 

$1,489.20 
Cash on hand 3.22 



Total, $1,492.42 
S. R. Butler, Treasurer. 

BY SPECIAL COMMITTEES. 

To E. F. Bassett, chairs for lecture room $ 44.29 

To J. Lindley & Son, " " " 138.60 

To J. Lindley &Son, carpeting and mat for lecture room 103.02 

$285.91 

BENEVOLENT COLLECTIONS. 

For missions, church $56.75; Sunday-school $61.25 $118.00 

For worn out preachers 21.00 

For church extension 15.00 

For American Bible Society 8.00 

For Bishops 8.00 

For tracts 3.00 

Delegates to General Conference - - 5.00 

Women's Foreign Mission Society 15.75 

For Conn. Temperance Society, paid to Rev. Alpheus Winter 13.37 

For Educational Fund 24.46 

Total, $231.58 



60 annals of the seymour m. e. church. 
Eeport of the Treasurer of the Ladies' Aid Society. 

For the Conference year ending April 8, 1884. 

RECEIPTS. 

1883. Oct. 4, Sociable $ 7.23 

June 14, Balance $2.00 " 25, " 14.37 

" 14, Sociable 14.90 Nov. 8, " 9.00 

" 19, Sociable 12.67 " 22, " .12.39 

" 21, Festival 47.85 Dec. 6, " 13.09 

" 28, Sociable 9.20 1884. 

July 12, " 16.07 Feb. 26, " ... 5.75 

" 26, " 11.00 Mar. 13, " 13,10 

Aug. 9, " 12.07 " 27, " 10.73 

" 30, " ,- 9.30 Subscription for stove 40.00 

Sept. 20, " 9.88 

Total, $269.70 

EXPENDITURES. 

Lounge $15.40, bookcase $5.27, curtains, $6.67 $27.34 

Two Mattresses 11 .85 

Marble top table $8.00, stove $40.00, crockery $3.50 51.50 

5 Walnut chairs $14.25, oil cloth and carpeting, $27.51 41.76 

Painting and Whitewashing $9.17, papering, $20.54 29.71 

Walk and drain, $29.02, pipe, $20.86 49.88 

Painting parsonage 55.00 



Total, $267.07 
Cash in treasury 2.63 



$269.70 
Mrs. W. C. Sharps, Treasurer. 



RECAPITULATION. 

Salary of the pastor $1,000.00 

Incidental expenses, per steward's report, ; 319.54 

Improvements, by stewards, $349.66, by special committees, $285.91 635.57 

Special collections, 231.58 

Painting and furnishing parsonage 267.07 

Total, $2,453.76 



PASTORATE OF REV. H. Q. JUDD. Gl 



APRIL 8, 1884, TO APRIL 7, 1885. 



This fragmentary work, hastily gathered in leaflets from time to 
time, and put in print as opportunity permitted, needs soon to be com- 
pleted, that time need not be taken from other pressing duties. There 
ire subjects which it would be a pleasure to investigate, aged veterans 
of the cross of whose experience and recollections the writer would 
gladly avail himself, anecdotes worthy of preservation, but other work 
forbids and we hasten to a conclusion. The file of memoranda has in- 
creased from year to year, but opportunity for their collation has de- 
creased in inverse ratio. 

The u conference year" which commenced with the adjournment of 
Conference on the eighth of April, 1884, was not so full of excitement 
as some in the history of the church, but much faithful work was done 
rhich will undoubtedly be fruitful of far more good results than can 
aow be estimated. Eev. H. Q. Judd had been returned by Bishop 
Hurst, and had always a pleasant greeting and a cheery word for each 
one of his parishioners, no matter how humble their station in life. 
lis sermons were encouraging and inspiring. They were listened to 
by appreciative congregations, and are pleasant memories to us. 

The customary division of the financial work of the church among 
stewards, trustees, Ladies' Aid Society, and committees, makes a com- 
plete statement of receipts and expenditures a difficult matter to com- 
pile, but so fai as can be ascertained from available records they were 
as below. It will be noticed that the receipts for pew rents were unusu- 
ally large, an evidence of the appreciation of the ability of the pastor. 



62 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 
CURRENT RECEIPTS. 

Balance in the treasury at the beginning of the year $ 3.22 

Pew Eents 1,028.58 

Collections 130.32 

From Ladies' Aid Society 60.00 

Special Subscription 100.50 

From Great Hill for the pastor 150.00 

$1,472.62 
BENEVOLENT COLLECTIONS. 

For Missions $110.00 

Church extension 5.00 

Tract Society 2.00 

Board of Education. 40.00 

For superannuated preachers 25.00 

Support of bishops 9.00 

Pastoral and church aid 17.25 

American Bible Society 5.00 

Endowment fund for worn out preachers 35.00 — 248.25 

81,720.87 
Borrowed to meet deficiency 56.00 

Total, 81,776.87 

EXPENDITURES. 

To pastor on previous year 8 30.00 

To pastor on current year 1,000.00 

To Eev. W. H. Wardell, presiding elder 41.00 

For pulpit supply in pastor's absence 31.50 

Organist and music 57.75 

Sexton 125.00 

Church improvements and repairs 91.18 

Parsonage repairs 20.87 

Insurance and interest 45.03 

Fuel and lights 57.47 



PASTORATE OF EEV. H. Q. JUDD. G3 

Incidentals 28.00 

$1,527.80 

Benevolent collections paid over 248.25 

Balance in treasury .82 

Total, $1,776.87 
At the close of the year there were 230 members and 19 probation- 
ers, an increase of 25 in the whole number of members and probation- 
ers in the two years of this pastorate. < <l . . 



64 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



The amounts of pew rent collected for a number of years have been 
as follows: conference year of 1872-3, $612.00; 1873-4, $647.00; 
1880-81, $729.79; 1882-3, $895.25; 1883-4 $966.76; 1884-5, $1,028.58; 
1885-6, $917.50. 

Amounts expended in furnishing and repairing the parsonage, not 
including any addition to the building, spring of 1869, $250.95; 1873, 
$8.81; 1874, $4.59; 1875, $214.63; 1878, $65.19: 1879, $68.59; 1880, 
$50.67; 1882, $8.30; 1883, $267.07, including work on walk and 
drain. 






ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 65 



THE LADIES' AID SOCIETY. 



An organization of this kind has long been an efficient means of 
supplementing the regular receipts of the society, though but little re- 
cord has been kept of their work. For many years after the present 
church edifice was built the association was known as the "Sewing 
Society 7 ' and met in one of the class rooms in the basement of the 
church, but of late years "sociables" have been held at the dwellings 
of the members of the congregation. The Sewing Society of thirty 
years ago was not so popular an institution as its successor, the Ladies' 
Aid Society, and those who went to make up various articles to be 
sold for the benefit of the church were mostly people past middle age, 
faithful mothers and sisters who gave their labor, time and strength a 
willing sacrifice. 

The society was reorganized in February, 1880, with Mrs. W. C. 
Sharpe president and Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury treasurer. Two fes- 
tivals were held during the spring and summer following, May 18th 
and July 5th, and eleven sociables, at the houses of H. B. Wooster, 
W. W. Dibble, Warren French, James Mchols, A. W. Lounsbury, 
Geo. A. Smith, Sheldon Miles and F. W. Pulford, at W. 0. 
Sharpe's twice, and once at the parsonage. The total receipts w T ere 
$256.14, of which §200.00 was paid on the principal of the debt on 
the parsonage, reducing the amount to $462.00. The remainder of 
the receipts were applied on painting and furnishing the parsonage. 

The officers were reelected for the following year and also in 1882. 
In 1881 the society paid $156.25 on the extensive improvements on 
the church property made that year. In 1883 sociables were held at 
the houses of Mrs. Cynthia French, H. B. Wooster, W. C. Sharpe 
and F. C. Gerard, at the parsonage, and twice at T. Sharpe's, and the 
proceeds were applied on the improvements of the church property. 
Statements regarding the two succeeding years are given elsewhere. 



ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 67 



THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 



The first we have been able to ascertain regarding the Sunday 
School is that George Kirtland, who came to Humphreysville in 1825, 
organized a small school in 1826 or 1827, commencing with his five 
children and a very few of the neighbors' children. The number in- 
creased in a few months to 27. A part of the time the school met at 
his house. Mrs. Kirtland and two or three young ladies assisted as 
teachers, among whom was Miss Mary A. Booth, now Mrs. Sackett, 
who came to Humphreysville in 1823, with her mother, Mrs. Anna 
Booth, of blessed memory. 

Mr. Kirtland endeavored to establish a library for the Sunday school, 
both himself and a Mr. Fisher contributing books and money. He 
kept up the school six or seven years, when it was discontinued for a 
time. 

Rev. Samuel R. Hickox, the next superintendent, was a local 
preacher, who during the week labored at his trade in repairing clocks, 
or upon his farm, as there was need. He was a zealous and kindly 
man, whose earnest exhorations are still remembered by many. He 
was born in Torrington Jan. 12, 1790, came to Humphreysville in 
1828, and died Mar. 14, 1861, rejoicing in the Lord. 

The third superintendent was Lugrand Sharpe, born in Bidgefield 
June 1, 1797, lived in Southford from 1821 to 1839, was the first 
class leader there, and was the leader in the movement to build the 
Union Chapel there, of which Eev. Samuel R. Hickox aboved named 
was the first pastor. In 1839 he came to Humphreysville and from 
that time was one of the efficient and always reliable members of this 
church. He never lost interest in the Sunday School and continued 
an active laborer there until his last sickness. He died May 1, 1876, 
aged 78 years, feeling that his work was done and that he was ready 
for the Master's call. 

Frederick Durand, superintendent in 1851, was a day school teacher 
and a teacher of singing, and made an efficient superintendent. The 



68 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

officers and teachers of the Sunday School were first organized as a 
Sunday School Society at his suggestion, and the articles of association 
were drawn up by him. 

Most of the other superintendents are mentioned in the pastoral 
sketches or under other heads. 

The increase in the average attendance has been remarkable and 
far in advance of the general growth of the church. Formerly on 
stormy days no session was held and such days were omitted in mak- 
ing up the average attendance, which gave larger proportionate figures. 
But for a few years past neither drifting snows or drenching rains have 
prevented the holding of a Sunday School. Every Sunday, no matter 
how small the attendance, is counted in making up the average, mak- 
ing the annual estimate proportionally smaller. Notwithstanding this 
the average has nearly trebled in the last fifteen years, increasing 
from 51 in 1871 to over 140. 

The adoption of the International Series of lessons has increased 
the runing expenses, requiring a considerable annual outlay for ques- 
tion books, Berean leaves and other lesson helps, a larger outlay is fre- 
quently made for additions to the library, and other expenses have increas- 
ed in proportion, yet the bills have been promptly and freely met, since 
the great importance of Sunday School work has come to be generally 
recognized. 

There is yet one thing the school greatly needs, more room. The 
lecture room is a fine one and well furnished, but there should be 
several class rooms opening into the lecture room, for the use of both 
bible and infant classes, as the classes are now of necessity so crowded 
as to prevent the degree of freedom which should be enjoyed by both 
teachers and pupils during recitations. Large Sunday Schools are 
coming to be better provided in this respect. The Trinity M. E. 
church of New Haven, and the churches of Waterbury and Bristol 
are models in this direction and it is earnestly to be hoped that the Sun- 
day School of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Seymour may soon 
be better provided for. The additional rooms would also be useful for 
classmeetings and other purposes. 




LUGRAND SHARPE. 



THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 



69 



OFFICERS OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL, 
1826-1894. 



SUPERINTENDENT. SECRETARY. 

1826-33. George Kirtland 

1841-2. Samuel R. Hickox 

1843-50. Lugrand Sharpe. 

1851. Frederick Durand. John Adams. 

1852. John Adams. Wm. E. Smith. 

1853. John Adams. Wm. Wostenholm. 

1854. Wm. A. Hughes. Wm. Wostenholm. 

1855. Wm. S. Mallory. Wm. A. Hughes. 

1856. A. W. Lounsbury. Geo. M. Eddy. 

1857. A. W. Lounsbury. John H. Moshier. 

1858. Wm. S. Mallory. John H. Moshier. 

1859. Warren French. W. N. Storrs. 
1860-1. W. N. Storrs. Geo. S. Wyant. 
1862. W. W. Benedict. J : W. Hendryx. 
1863-4. H. W. Benedict. W. C. Sharpe. 
1865. H. W. Benedict. W. W. Dibble. 
1866-7. W. N. Storrs. W. W. Dibble. 

1868. Sheldon Miles. S. M. Sheldon. 

1869. W. C. Sharpe. Jas. K. Adams. 

1870. W. N. Storrs. C. P. White. 

1871. W. N. Storrs. Wm. A. Dibble. 

1872. W. W. Dibble. W. G. Sharpe. 

1873. S. R. Butler. W. C. Sharpe. , 

1874. C. N. Blanchard. D. H. Munson. 

1875. S. R. Butler. W. N. Storrs. 

1876. E N. Botsford. Wm. H. Nugent. 

1877. H. C. Rogers. W. C. Sharpe. 

1878. S. R. Butler. W. C. Sharpe. 

1879. Geo. E. Stockwell. Henry O'Meara. 

1880. Geo. E. Stockwell. Olin L. Dibble. 

1881. Thomas Sharpe. C. W. Lyon, Jr. 
1882-6. Thomas Sharpe. W. C. Sharpe. 

1887. Thomas Sharpe. A. C. Butler. 

1888. A. C. Butler. John H. Ladd. 

1889. A. C. Butler. E. E. Holbrook. 

1890. A. C. Butler. Ralph Dusinberre. 
1891-2. A. C. Butler. M. W. D. Fenton. 

1893. C. H. Guild. W. H. O'Meara. 

1894. C. H. Guild. E. E. Holbrook. 



TREASURER. 



William Mallory. 
John A. Bland. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
W. C. Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
W. W. Dibble. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
Lugrand Sharpe. 
E. N. Botsford. 
E. N. Botsford. 
Jas. K. Adams. 
Jas. K. Adams. 
Jas. K. Adams. 
S. R. Butler. 
Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury. 
Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury. 
Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury. 
Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury. 
Mrs. M. R. Castle. 
Mrs. M. R. Castle. 
Mrs. M. R. Castle. 
Mrs. M. R. Castle. 
Mrs. M. R. Castle. 
Mrs. M. R. Castle. 



70 



ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



ROLL OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD, 



DEC. 31, 1882. 



Pastor, Rev. C. W. Lyon. 
Superintendent, Thomas Sharpe. 
AssH Supt., Wm. H. Gladwin. 
Secretary, W. C. Sharpe. 
Treas., Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury. 



Librarian, Edward Holbrook. 
AssH LiVn, Ernest 0. Sharpe. 
Bee. LiVn, John S. Moshier. 
Chorister, Harry O'Meara. 
Organist, Effie Davis. 



Class 

No. 1 Mrs. Wilson Wyant. 

2 Mrs. W. C. Sharpe. 

3 L. T. Wooster. 

4 Geo. W. Burroughs. 

5 Miss Rosa McKay. 

6 Mrs. G. L. Bartlett. 

7 Mrs. Kate Wyant. 

8 Mrs. W. W. Dibble. 

9 Mrs. C. W. Lyon. 
10 W. W. Dibble. 



TEACHERS. 

Class 



No. 11 Charles H. Guild. 

12 Edward T. Kelsey. 

13 Harry O'Meara. 

14 Mrs. H. F. Moshier. 

15 Miss E. Wooster. 

16 Mrs. F. 0. Gerard. 

17 T. S. Ladd. 

18 Miss S. E. Dibble. 

19 Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury. 

20 Mrs. Warren French. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE 
A. W. Lounsbury, W. M. Houghtaling, 

Mrs. W. 0. Sharpe, 



W. N. Storrs, 



Mrs. H. B. Wooster. 



THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 71 



Report of the Sunday School Treasurer 

FOB THE YEAR 1882. 

RECEIPTS. 

Jan. 1. Balance in the Treasury, $ 6.70 

1. For Teachers' Journal and Question Books, 13.10 

Mar. 9. From Committee soliciting for Library, 12.75 

May 30. From Stereopticon Exhibition, , . . . 16.15 

Sept. 10. Collection for S. S. Fund of Board of Education, . 23.00 

Collections for Sunday School use, 190.12 

Collections for the Missionary Cause, 40.00 

Beceipts for Teachers' Journals and Question Books, 13.55 

Balance, 8.18 

$323.55 
PAYMENTS. 

Library Cards, Scripture Cards and Class Papers, $19.08 

Question Books, Leaves and Journals for 1882, 31.15 

Library Books, 115.30 

Supplement to Catalogue, Programmes, Tracts, &c 10.88 

Paid to the S. S. Fund of the Board of Education, 23.00 

Hymnal for the use of Organist, 1.60 

Fruit and Confectionery for Christmas Entertainment, 22.23 

Sunday School Bewards, 17.94 

Question Books, Teachers' Journals and Lesson Leaves for '82 42.37 

Missionary Money on hand, 40.00 

$323.55 
MRS. A. W. LOUNSBURY, Treasurer. 






72 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 

FOR THE YEAR 1882. 

Whole number of Scholars, 183 ; Officers and Teachers, 27 ; total 210 
Average attendance, 125 

Sunday School has been held every one of the fiftythree Sundays in 
the year, nothwithstanding some very stormy days, on which it has 
been customary in years past to omit school altogether and make no 
account of the stormy days in making up the average for the year. 
Had this been done the past year the average attendance would have 
been not less than one hundred and twentyeight. 

Eight regular meetings of the Sunday School Board have been held, 
and six committee meetings and short special sessions after Sunday 
School. 

Among the extra efforts for the benefit of the Sunday School have 
been several Sunday evening concerts, the picnic to High Eock Grove 
and the Christmas entertainment. 

In conclusion it may be said that the school was never more pros- 
perous than now, and there is reason to hope for increased growth and 
success in this department of Church work. 

Eespectfully submitted, 

W. C. SHAEPE, Secretary. 
Seymour, Ct., Jan. 2d, 1882. 



H£3£^"' 



REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN. 






Number of volumes in the Library, Jan. 1, 1882, 352 

Additions during the year, 101 

Number of Volumes, Dec. 31, 1882, 453 

EDWAED HOLBEOOK, Librarian. 



THE SUNDAYSCHOOL. 73 

CONSTITUTION. 

As amended Dec. 27th, 1881. 

Art. 1. — This Association shall be called The Sundayschool 
Board of the Seymour Methodist Episcopal Church, and shall consist of 
the Officers and Teachers, the Sundayschool Committee appointed by 
the Quarterly Conference, and the Preacher in charge. 

Art. 2. — The Officers of this Board shall be a Superintendent, 
Assistant Superintendent, Eecording Secretary, Sundayschool Secre- 
tary, Treasurer, Librarian, Assistant Librarian, Eecording Librarian, 
Chorister and Organist, who shall be elected annually by ballot at the 
annual meeting of the Sundayschool Board, which shall be held on 
the Tuesday evening preceding the first Sunday in January. 

Art. 3. — Vacancies in the list of officers and teachers may be filled 
at any regular or special meeting. Teachers may be elected at any 
regular or special meeting of the Board, on the nomination of the 
Superintendent, and may be appointed by the Superintendent to fill 
vacancies until a meeting of the Board. 

Art. 4. — At the annual meeting the following order shall be 
observed: 

1, Singing and prayer ; 6, Eeport of Treasurer ; 

2, Calling roll ; 7, Eeport of Librarian ; 

3, Eeading minutes ; 8, Unfinished business ; 

4, Eeport of the Superintendent ; 9, Election of Officers 5 

5, Eeport of Secretary ; 10, Miscellaneous business. 
Art. 5. — At all meetings of the Board seven shall constitute a 

quorum. 

Art. 6. — Special meetings of the Board may be called by the 
Superintendent or by any five of the members. 

Art. 7. — In case of withdrawal of officers or teachers from the 
School they cease to be members of the Board ; and any member of 
the Board habitually neglecting his or her duty, or being guilty of 
improper conduct, may be expelled by a vote of two-thirds of the 
members of the Board present at any regular or special meeting. 

Art. 8. — The duties of the Superintendent shall be to preside at 
the meetings of the Board in the absence of the Preacher in charge, 
to conduct the Sundayschool to the best of his ability, and to see that 
the regulations adopted by the Board are complied with. 



74 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

Art. 9. — The duty of the Eecording Secretary shall be to record 
the doings of the Board at all regular and special meeting. 

The duty of the Sundayschool Secretary shall be to keep carefully 
and in good order the Register of the Sundayschool, to report to the 
annual meetings the whole number of Officers, Teachers and Scholars 
in attendance, and the average attendance; to furnish the Preacher in 
charge quarterly with the statistics of the Sundayschool. 

Art. 10. — The duty of the Treasurer shall be to receive and pay 
out funds as the Board may direct, and to give a written account 
of receipts and expenditures to the Board at its annual meeting. 

ART. 11. — The Librarian shall take charge of the Library, subject 
to such regulations as the Board may adopt. 

Art. 12. — This Constitution shall not be altered except by vote 
ef two-thirds of all the members present at a regular meeting, previous 
notice of the proposed amendment having been given in Sundayschool. 



Additional Kequirements of the Discipline. 

Books for the Library.— Selections of books, by whomsoever made, are subject to revi- 
sion by the Preacher in Charge, the Superintendent and Sundayschool Committee.— P. 250. 

Missionary Contributions.— The missionary contributions of the Sunday School shall be 
reported in a separate column in the benevolent contributions of the Annual and General 
Minutes. 






SUXDAYSCHOOL BOARD, 

Dec. 31, 1884. 

Pastor, Rev. H. Q. Judd. Treasurer, Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury. 

Superintendent, Thomas Sharpe. Librarian, Edward T. Kelsey. 
Asst. Supt., Wra. H. Gladwin. Asst. Librarian, Fred Dibble. 
Recording Secy., W. C. Sharpe. Bee. Librarian, John S. Moshier. 
Sunday School Secy., Wra. Adams. Chorister, Harry O'Meara. 
Organist, Effie Davis. 
TEACHERS. 

Class No. 1 Mrs. Wilson Wyant. Class No. 13 Mrs. J. K. Adams. 

2 Miss Leila Bartlett. 14 Mrs. Edw. Holbrook. 

3 Mrs. W. C. Sharpe. 15 Dwight Garrett. 

4 G. W. Burroughs. 16 W. 0. Sharpe. 

5 Miss Rosa McKay. 17 W. W. Dibble. 

6 Miss S. E. Dibble. 18 Mrs. W. W. Dibble. 



THE SUNDAYSCHOOL. 75 

7 Charles H. Guild. 19 C. H. Jorey. 

8 Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury. 20 Mrs. Warren French. 

9 Mrs. G. L. Bartlett. 21 S. E. Butler. 

10 Mrs. F. C. Gerard. 22 W. H. Gladwin. 

11 Miss E. E. Wooster. 23 T. S. Ladd. 

12 Sheldon Miles. 24 L. T. Wooster. 

25 Cora Dibble. 

SUNDAYSCHOOL COMMITTEE. 

A. W. Lounsbury, W. F. Smith, Joseph Lewin ? 

Mrs. D. B. Tolles, Mrs. M. E. Castle. 



REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 

FOR THE YEAR 1884. 
Whole number of scholars 184; officers and teachers 32; total . 216 
Average attendance, 52 Sundays 141 

The average attendance for each of the past five years has been 
113, 115, 125, 132, 141, showing a large increase. 

The number of books in the Library is 660, an increase of 105 
well chosen volumes, selected by the joint committees appointed by 
the Quarterly Conference and the Sundayschool Board. 

Teachers' Meetings. Five meetings of the Sundayschool 
Board have been held during the year (others called but not counted 
for jack of quorum), with an average attendance of eleven. Beside the 
above several short sessions have been held in the lecture room on 
Sunday afternoon after Sundayschool. 

The special occasions for the benefit of the Sundayschool have 
been as follows: 

Children's Day, June 8th. The church was beautifully de- 
corated with flowers, and the morning service was especially adapted 
for the children, with a Sundayschool concert in the evening. 

Picnic to Branford. A picnic to the seaside was given to 
the school July 8th, by railroad to New Haven and thence by steam- 
boat. The expense over and above the receipts from the sale of tickets, 
which was $83, was paid by the superintendent. 

Christmas Entertainment. This pleasing entertainment 
on Christmas evening was one of the most successful the school has 
ever had. At the close twenty handsomely bound books were present- 
ed to those who had not been absent from Sundayschool during the 
year, and others, at the expense of the superintendent, and the good 
t hings provided by the committee were then distributed. 



76 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



REPORT OF THE TREASURER. 

RECEIPTS. 

Collections, 9 months, for Sundayschool purposes $150.06 

Collections, 3 months, Jan., May, Sept., for missionary cause 50.35 

Subscription for Library Books 38.60 

Collection in aid of Sundayschool Board of Education 40.00 

Subscription for Christmas Entertainment 13.75 

' $292.76 
Balance unpaid 4.82 

$297.58 
EXPENDITURES. 

Balance on Christmas bills of 1883 \ $20.76 

Lesson Helps for 1884 $17.39; Scripture Text Cards $22.90. 40.29 

Record Book for Librarian 80c; Leaf Clusters $6.00 6.80 

50 Sundayschool Advocates 12.50 

Temperance Banners 7.20 

Library Cards, Numbers, Labels and Catalogues 11.59 

Catechisms, Review Service and Programmes 6.58 

Singing Books, " Welcome Tidings" 9.48 

Library Books $51.26; Christmas Hymns and Music $7.27. . 58 53 

Christmas Entertainment 23.50 

$197.23 

Forwarded to Sundayschool Board of Education 40.00 

Forwarded to German Mission School 10.00 

For Missionary Society 50.35 

$297.58 
RECAPITULATION. 

Balance paid on bills of 1883 $ 20.76 

Current expenses for 1884 176.47 

Contributions for benevolent purposes 100.35 

$297.58 



REPORT OF THE SECRETARY ?7 

FOR 1885. 

The special occasions for the benefit of the Sunday School during 
the past year have been as follows : 

Children's Day, June 14th — The morning services consisted of 
singing and responsive readings by the Sunday School, which was 
seated in the body of the church, and a sermon to the school by Rev. 
A. McNichol. In the evening a very interesting programme was given 
by the school, with music by the choir. 

Picnic — The annual Sunday School picnic took place on Friday, 
July 10th, four cars being hired to take the party to High Rock Grove. 
Music was furnished by the Tingue Manufacturing Go's Band. The 
weather was favorable and everything passed off pleasantly, 

Temperance Concert, Sept. 27th— The chancel was hand- 
somely ornamented with flowers and foliage plants. A very interesting 
programme was given, consisting of temperance songs, recitations and 
dialogues, and an address by the pastor, which were heard attentively 
by a large audience and helped to increase the temperance sentiment in 
the community. 

Christmas Entertainment, Thursday evening, Dec. 24th — 
This included Christmas trees, loaded with gifts for the Sunday School, 
and an interesting programme of singing and recitations. Books were 
presented by the superintendent to each member of the school who had 
not been absent more than once during the year. Seven had not been 
absent, viz: Mrs. W. Wyant, Mrs. F. C. Gerard, Mrs. Chas. Short, Oliver 
Doolittle, Bertie Tocher, Iva Sharpe, Harry Carpenter. Five had been 
absent but once, viz : Mrs. Mary Peck, Eosa McKay, Mary Tocher, 
Fannie Moshier and David Tocher. 

At the close of the previous year twelve received books for having 
attended every Sunday in 1884, viz : Mrs. W. Wyant, Dwight Garrett, 
Oliver Doolittle, Charles H. Jorey, Fred W. Dibble, Emma Joos, Mol- 
lie Joos, Iva Sharpe, Harry Carpenter, Susie Burroughs, Julia Llew- 
ellyn, Otto Davis. 

A number of very stormy Sundays reduced the average attendance 
for the year somewhat below the average for 1884. The average for the 
last six months was 143 and there has been an increase in the number 
of scholars on the various class lists. The largest number present at any 
session of the school was 173, and the smallest 76. dumber of officers 
and teachers 31, scholars 191, total 222. 

W. C. SHARPE, Recording Secretary. 



78 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

REPORT OF THE TREASURER FOR 1885. 

RECEIPTS. 

Collections in Feb., Mar., Apr., June, July, Aug., Sept., 

Nov., Dec $100.98 

EXPENSES. 

Balance paid on last year's account $ 4.82 

Library cards and book for librarian 5.48 

Reward cards 11.76 

i 

Programmes and music for Children's Day 6.35 

36 Catechisms 1.08 

" Temperance Services," etc., for September concert 3.12 

Lesson Helps 47.98 

Dec. 9, Three Sunday School Concert books 1.47 

Dec. 28, Paid on Christmas expenses 18.92 

Total, $100.98 

BENEVOLENT COLLECTIONS. 

For the Missionary Cause, Jan., May, Oct $42.19 

For the Educational Fund 36.00 

For the Sunday School Union 3.22 

Total, $81.41 

Paid to Educational Fund agents $36.00 

Paid to Sunday School Union 3.22 

Paid January Collections to Missionary Society 12.24 

(Included in Conference Report for year 1884-5.) 

Missionary money on hand 29.95 

(To be included in Conference Report tor 1885-6.) 

Total, $81.41 

The sum of $65.00 was expended at the Superintendent's expense, 
in addition to the above, for lithograph lesson designs, deficiencies on 
pic-nic, Christmas, etc. 

MES. A. W. LOUNSBUEY, Treasurer. 



THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 



79 



ROLL OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD. 



JAN. 1, 1886. 

Chairman, ex-officio, Bev. A. McNichol. 
Superintendent, Thomas Sharpe. Librarian, Ernest C. Sharpe. 
Asst. Supt, Wm. H. Gladwin. Asst. Librarian, Burton Holbrook. 
Recording Secy., W. 0. Sharpe, Bee. Librarian, James McKay. 
Treasurer, Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury. Chorister, Albert Butler. 
School Secy., Arthur Gladwin. Organist, Miss Effie Davis. 

TEACHERS. 



Class No. 1 Mrs. Wilson Wyant, 

2 Miss Leila Bartlett. 

3 Mrs. W. 0. Sharpe. 

4 G. W. Burroughs. 

5 Miss Hattie Doolittle. 

6 Miss Julia Valladd. 

7 Edward Bice. 

8 Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury. 

9 Mrs. G. L. Bartlett, 

10 Mrs. F. C. Gerard. 

11 Miss E. E. Wooster. 

23 L. T. Wooster, 



Class Wo. 12 Miss Cora Dibble. 

13 James May bury. 

14 A. W. Lounsbury. 

15 Dwight Garrett. 

16 W. C. Sharpe. 

17 W. W. Dibble. 

18 Mrs. W. W. Dibble. 

19 0. H. Jorey. 

20 S. E. Butler. 

21 W. H. Gladwin. 

22 Charles Short. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 

O. D. Sykes. A. C. Peck. W. B. Johnson. 

Mrs. M. E. Castle, Mrs. E. G. Peck, 



Mrs. S. T. Carpenter. 



Mrs. C. H. Guild. 



81 



Pastorate of George Lansing Taylor. 

1862—1863. 

At the New York East conference, session of 1862, held at Water- 
terbury, Conn., closing Tuesday evening, April 15th, George Lansing 
Taylor was received on trial and appointed by Bishop James to Sey- 
mour and Great Hill. He had been ordained a Deacon on the previous 
Sunday by Bishop Ames, at Peekskill, N. Y., the seat of the New 
York conference. 

WHO HE WAS. 

This was Mr. Taylor's first itinerant work, but not his first preaching 
or pastorate. Born at Skaneateles, N. Y., in 1835, he had removed with 
his Methodist parents to Gorham, Lucas (afterward Fulton) Co., Ohio, 
forty miles west of Toledo, where, before 13 years old, he had been con- 
verted and joined the M. E. church, then worshipping in a great hewed 
log school-house, the center of a new settlement. Here a new church 
was soon built, in which he preached his first sermon, as a licensed ex- 
horter, Sept. 28th, 1856. He was then a student in Ohio Wesleyan 
University, where he was licensed to preach Aug. 14th, 1858. He 
preached much, both at home and at college, during that period, and 
two powerful revivals occured under this student preaching. In 1859 
he came to New York and completed his college course in Columbia 
college, whence he was graduated A. B. in June, 1861. During this 
time he preached in many pulpits of New York and elsewhere as a 
transient supply, and during the last year was pastor as a local preach- 
er, of the new West Harlem charge, New York city. At the same 
time he was assistant editor of the Christian Advocate and Journal, 
now the Christian Advocate, New York, taking the place previously 
filled by Bev. Dr. William P. Strickland, under Bev. Dr. Edward 
Thomson, afterward Bishop. 

From this double work of pastorate and editorship he entered the 
itinerancy in the New York East conference, and was appointed to 



82 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E CHURCH. 

Seymour as stated above, in the state whence his ancestors had " gone 
West." He came as a married man, his wife being the daughter of 
the noted Bev. Mansfield French, editor of the Beauty of Holiness 
magazine in New York, but who during the war became known as 
"Chaplain French," the founder of the Freedman's Bureau, and the 
first man who enlisted and commanded colored troops in the United 
States army. 

The young pastor and his wife were received with the warmest hos- 
pitality by the people, who had the parsonage in perfect order, a hot 
dinner ready, a barrel of flour and other supplies in the pantry ; and 
filled the parsonage at at reception the next week ; and so they had a 
view of the sunny side of the "itinerancy" to start with, which they 
never forgot. 

THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY. 

The country was in the high excitement of the first years of the war, 
when Mr. Taylor came to Seymour. During those years the great 
struggle for the life, liberty, and unity of this country swallowed up 
almost every other interest, and there were not many revivals of reli- 
gion, in the ordinary sense, any where among the churches ; though 
they greatly increased during the last years of the war, as public senti- 
ment became more unified, and the outlook more hopeful. But Mr. 
Taylor diligently visited all his flock, and there were a consider- 
able number of conversions during his ministry. 
HOLINESS MEETINGS. 

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had had been connected with the "Holiness 
movement," both in Ohio and New York ; and, in the absence of Bev. 
Mr. and Mrs. French in the South, he had editorial charge of the Beau- 
ty of Holiness during most of his pastorate here. In September, 1862, 
after laboring in the "Messiah camp meeting" at Milford, he opened a 
weekly meeting for the " Promotion of Christian Holiness" at the par- 
sonage, which was continued for about six months, with excellent re- 
sults. People came from as far as Woodbury and New Haven to 
those meetings, and many of the church membership received rich 
spiritual blessings. 

Mr. Taylor found on record the names of 152 members and five pro- 
bationers. And after the changes of two years, by deaths, removals, 
the war, and a thorough revision of the records, he left 143 members 
and seven probationers, a total of only eight names less than he found. 




SHELDON MILES. 



PASTORATE OF REV. GEORGE LANSING TAYLOR. 83 

The list of subscribers to religious periodicals was also more than 
doubled, a good seed-sowing of lasting value. 

In January and February, 1863, he assisted Eev. R. H. Loomis of 
Winsted, and Eev. George W. Woodruff of Waterbury, in revival 
work, with good results in each case. 

CHURCH FINANCES. 

But in the financial affairs of the church, notwithstanding the "war 
times," Mr. Taylor's pastorate was highly successful. At the time of 
his appointment business was at a low ebb, and the church had asked 
for an unmarried man, as they could raise only $300. But when he 
came, unasked, they made the salary $400 each year, and gave him a 
cash donation of $78 the first year, and $82 the second ; and so much 
other valuable material in the way of firewood, provisions etc., as made 
his support as good as $600 per year, instead of the $300 proposed, be- 
sides an excellent garden in which Mr. T. took a pardonable pride. 
And there was a corresponding advance advanc e in other departments. 
During his first year the Missionary collection was advanced from $28 
the year before to $101.63, and when it was reported at conference the 
veteran Presiding Elder B. E. Griswold, shouted, " Well done for 
Seymour ! " This would have been surpassed the next year, had not a 
larger call for money arisen. 

PAYING OFF THE CHURCH DEBT. 

On May 26th, 1863, their second year, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor invited 
the brethren of the Official Board of the church, with their wives, to 
take tea at the parsonage ; and after tea he called the brethren into his 
study for business meeting, in which he proposed that they make an ef- 
fort to raise $2,000 to pay off an old debt of $1,700 which had lain un- 
paid since the church was built, and then amounted, with interest, to 
$2,000, and $500 more to repair and repaint the church. There were 
present, Eev. Sylvester Smith, H. W. Benedict, Warren French, 
Sheldon Miles, W. E. Hendryx, W. K Stores, W. W. Dibble and 
W. Umberfield, and the pastor's proposition was unanimously adopted, 
and he was appointed the agent of the church to raise the money, with 
H. W. Benedict and Sheldon Miles as his assistants. They went at 
it at once, and in a week they had nearly $1,000 pledged. Mr. Taylor 
collected $100 among some of his Mends in New York, and by other 
efforts the sum was made up to $1,200, which was paid on the debt. 
Under the pastorate of Eev. A. B. Pulling, next year, $800 more was 



84 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E CHURCH. 

raised, and thus the debt was extinguished. The benevolent collec- 
tions for 1863 were also good. 

PATRIOTIC SERVICES. 
But Mr. Taylor's most marked service to this community was in 
his patriotic influence. He came here an ardent emancipationist, into 
a community then noted for an equally ardent Democratic opposition 
to the war and to the emancipation of the slaves in the south. He 
spoke out plainly, not only in his pulpit, but in the New York Tribune, 
the Independent, the Christian Advocate, and many other Journals to 
which he was a frequent contributor, averaging about two signature 
articles per month, beside editorial work. His war lyrics in the Trib- 
une, and elsewhere were a part of this work. But all this was a mortal 
offence to not a few people in Seymour, and he endured much opposi- 
tion on account of it, during the first part of his pastorate here, until 
the tide began to turn with the logic of events. But in his own church 
there was always a strong loyal majority to sustain him, and to ask for 
his return for the second year. Some of the incidents in this line of 
Mr. Taylor's ministry were characteristic of the times. 

"FIRED OUT OF CHURCH." 

On Sunday, January 4th, 1863, in a New Year's sermon on I Sam- 
uel 7:12, "Ebenezer," he thanked God for President Lincoln's Eman- 
cipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves in the territory then actually 
in rebellion, and then prayed that blacks, whoever owned them, might 
soon be free. At this a member of the church, arose and stormed out 
of the hotfse in tragic wrath. He had not been a very useful member 
for some time, and as he stamped down the aisle for the door, Mr Tay- 
lor looked quizzically after him and said: " Good-day, good-bye, and 
good riddance. The congregation burst into a laugh that took all the 
sting out of his going, and there was no more going out of church while 
Mr. T. was preaching. 

"SOLDIER'S AID SOCIETY." 

On March 5th, 1863, Mrs. Taylor, with several other ladies of vari- 
ous other denominations, met at the house of Mr. Medad Tucker and 
organized a "Soldier's Aid Society," for which Mr. Taylor had drafted 
a brief constitution, and so the loyal women of Seymour began to do 
their part in the great struggle for their country. On May 22d, Mr. 
Taylor worked half a day helping to box and ship the goods the ladies; 
sent off for the sanitary commission. On June 13th he wrote the reso- 



PASTORATE OF REV. GEORGE LANSING TAYLOR. 85 

lutions which were adopted by the Loyal League on the department of 
the 20th Connecticut Eegiment of Volunteers for service in the war. 
On Sunday evening, July 12th, his father-in-law, Eev. Mansfield 
French, home on furlough from his work in the the South, .spoke in the 
M. E. church on the condition and prospects of the newly made Freed- 
men. He spoke for an hour and a half, with great power and instruc- 
tiveness, his word having the added weight of his experience at the 
front, and the recent victories of the nation. Mr. French spoke on 
several other occasions here afterward. 

"SOLDIER'S AID FAIR." 

On July 4th, the " Ladies' Soldier's Aid Society n held a grand 
Fair and Festival in "Parson Smith's" newly rebuilt unfinished paper 
mill. The "Copperheads" had declared that they should not make $50. 
and had threatened to mob them. There were ugly knots of men on 
the street corners all the evening and things looked squally. But Mr. 
and Mrs. Taylor (she being president of the society) were among the 
most zealous present. The news from Gettysburg and Vicksburg 
came flashing over the wires, setting the North ablaze. All the loyal 
people of the town turned out, saying " Let's see if those ladies can't 
make $50 for our brave boys in blue !" They bought the fair all out 
clean, at a net profit of $200. The mob was cowed, and the ladies' 
went home victorious too. 

"THE FIGHTING CHAPLAIN." 

And then came on the dreadful Draft Eiots of July 13th to 16th, of 
which Seymour came near having a sample at home. Mr. Taylor 
was constantly threatened at this time. On many a night the young 
pastor and his wife were awakened at one or two o'clock at night by 
troops of the half tipsy sons of Belial passing the house singing and 
yelling : 

" We '11 hang Parson Taylor to a sour apple tree, 
As we go marching on." 

When the "Union League'' was formed here on July 20th, Mr. Tay- 
lor was elected Chaplain of it, on the special stipulation on his part 
that he might be a "fighting Chaplain," and do a common soldier's duty 
on the "Home guard/' if needed. With this understanding he had 
his Whitney rifle, with terminal toothpick and package of cartridges, 
allotted him, like the rest, and always kept them in reach of the head of 
his bed. Rumor also had it that he kept at least one stout hickory 



86 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

"headache stick'' within reach of every door and window of the parson- 
age, prepared to build an addition to the phrenology of at least one or 
two assailants, should any attempt be made to carry out the copious 
threats made to mob him. Meantime, without his knowing it at all, 
for three weeks during the riot times he was never out of his house an 
evening, for church, post-office, or an evening call, without a trusty 
guard of at least two members of the Union League silently following 
him and never letting him get out of their sight. And so also they 
watched his house every night. So deep as that was the feeling that, 
should any disturbance occur, he would certainly be attacked. Mean- 
while, though knowing that he was in danger, but ignorant that he was 
thus guarded, he was speaking out for the great cause on every occa- 
sion, and writing almost every week something for the press to help on 
the struggle. It was in reference to one form of his work in this line 
that the Tribune said in 1864, "Mr. Taylor will be remembered as the 
author of some of the most stirring poems which the war has called 
forth, and which he has contributed to this journal." This work was 
largely done in Seymour. 

STORIES TOO RECENT TO BE TOLD. 

Among the consequences growing out of Mr. Taylor's position in the 
war-politics of the times were some of the liveliest incidents that oc- 
curred in this community during those years. Unfortunately for a good 
story some of them, and the actors in them, are even now, at the dis- 
tance of twenty-three years, too well known here at home to make the 
plain tale of facts a comfortable one to publish. 

MR. TAYLOR'S WAR SERMONS. 

On Thursday, August 6th, in obedience to Presideut Lincoln's proc- 
lamation, Thanksgiving services were held all over the North for the 
victories of Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and others. On this occasion, by 
invitation of the Congregational church, the Methodist church united 
with them in the service, Mr. Taylor preaching the sermon, from Psalms 
30:1, "I will extol thee, O Lord ; for thou has lifted me up, and hast 
not made my foes to rejoice over me." The service was held in the 
evening and the Congregational church was packed to its utmost ca- 
pacity. The sermon was preached from manuscript, and occupied over 
an hour in rapid and fiery delivery, but the enthusiasm of the congre- 
gation carried the preacher through, and their patriotic cheers did not 
seem out of place in the temple of the God of Liberty and Bighteousness. 



PASTORATE OF REV. GEORGE LANSING TAYLOR. 87 

On November 26th of this year the ordinary "Thanksgiving Day," 
which had spread from its New England home over most of the North- 
ern states, was, by proclamation of President Lincoln, made National. 
On this occasion the Congregational church here, having no pastor 
then, came into a body to join with the Methodists in an evening ser- 
vive, again overflowing the house, when Mr. Taylor preached another 
war sermon, from the powerful text, Psalm 66 : 8-15. 

WORK FOR THE SOLDIERS. 

As was natural, Mr. Taylor took a great interest in the members of 
of his church and congregation who enlisted in the war, writing them 
many letters, and paying special attention to their families. 

"THE WAR CLASS." 

When the 20th regiment went to the front, its company H, contain- 
ed many Seymour men, a number of them from the Methodist church. 
These men Mr. Taylor organized into a regular church " Class," and 
appointed A. W. Lounsbury, who was one of them, their "Class Lead- 
er," giving him a " Classbook" with their names regularly enrolled, 
and with all the spiritual charge over them, and as many more as 
might join them, that a class leader has at home. 

Brother Lounsbury wrote often to the pastor concerning their wel- 
fare. They kept up class and prayer meetings whenever possible, and 
often had large meetings, with excellent results. 

WAR LIST OF THE M. E. CHURCH 

During Mr. Taylor's pastorate April, 1862, to April, 1864. This list 
Mr. Taylor says, is made mostly from memory, and he does not claim ac- 
curacy for it. It embraces non-communicant members of the congre- 
gation, as well as communicants, and gives simply his recollections oi 
each. 

Capt. Wilson Wyant, Co. E, 5th C. V. Not a communicant, 
but wife Violetta was. He was a tall, large, and dignified man, of 
good moral character and deportment, who looked every inch a soldier. 

Sergt. George S. Wyant, Co. H, 20th C. V. A communicant, 
with his wife Catherine ("Katy,") a good, humble, prayerful man, 
(Secy, of the S.S. in 1861,) a member of the "war class," who died in 
the service Dec. 15th, 1862, aged 34 years. Mr. Taylor assisted Mrs. 
Wyant to get her pension. She was a faithful Sunday school teacher, 
much beloved by her class and a large circle of friends. 



88 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



Albert W. Lounsbury, enlisted August 9th, 1862, Co. H. 20th 
0. V., the "war class-leader," with wife and family all members. An 
excellent, faithful man, pious, temperate, useful. He was taken pris- 
oner at Chancellorsville, and sent to " Libby prison," at Eichmond. 
Thence he was exchanged and returned to service. Served till close of 
war. On account of his skill as a nurse, and his religious adaptation 
for the work, he was much of the time on detailed service as a hospital 
nurse, where he was a messenger of good to many a brave sufferer. 

Oapt. Wilbur F. Smith, son of Eev Sylvester, was a member of 
the choir, a quiet business man. He mustered in as First Lieutenant 
of Co. H, 20th 0. V., August 15th, 1862. Was taken prisoner at 
Chancellorsville and confined in Libby prison, was paroled and ex- 
changed, was promoted Captain, January 8th, 1863. 

Sergt. William B. Johnson, son of Deacon David and Euth 
Ann Johnson, afterward steward, trustee, and leader of the choir ; Co. 
B, 15th C. V., mustered in July 22d, 1872 j served three years. 

James W. Hendryx, " Jimmy," Co. H, 20th C. V. A pious 
young man, much beloved and lamented, was received into the church 
by Mr. Taylor, He was the son of Brother Wilson E. and Eosetta 
Hendryx, was secretary of the Sunday school in 1862, wrote good letters 
to his pastor, was killed in the great battle of Chancellorsville, under 
Hooker, May 3d, 1863. 

Harpin E. French, Co. K, 10th C. V. Son of Warren and Lu- 
cinda French. A member, also his wife Sarah E. An upright, 
straightforward man, served three years. 

David W. Sharpe, enlisted May 22d, 1861, for three years. Co. 
B, 1st Heavy Artillery. Son of Brother Lugrand and Olive Sharpe. 
Not then a church member, but a keen, wide awake young soldier of 
promise. 

Francis Sheldon, 3d Independent Battery. Was a member of 
the church with his wife, Jane W. Was a steward of the church. 

Joseph Hitchcock, Co D, 22d C. V. Eeceived into church by 
Mr. Taylor, has since been both Steward Trustee and church Treasurer. 

ZERAH B. DAVIS, Co. H, 20th C. V., mustered in August 6th, 1862; 
mustered out June 13th, 1865. 

Charles H. Davis, son of Philo and Harriet, Co. H, 20th C. V. 







ALBERT W. LOUNSBURY. 



PASTORATE OF REV. GEORGE LANSING TAYLOR. 89 

Herman B. French, son of Warren French, corporal, Co. F, 
First Heavy Artillery, afterward of Co. I, 15th C. V., served till the 
close of the war. 

Several others apparently connected with the church or congregation 
were in the service at this time, of whom Mr. Taylor has no personal 
recollection. 

CHURCH OFFICIARY. 

Of the official organization of the church during these two years no 
complete lists remain, and the following is given from memory. 

Sylvester Smith was a Local Elder, Trustee and President, and 
for the first year Treasurer, of the Trustees. He needs no description. 
For forty years he was an active, successful business man, a manu- 
facturer of strawboard, in Seymour, liberal with his money, and a high" 
ly able, earnest, and useful local preacher in all the " region round 
about." He moved on with the progress of the country in the war 
times, and was President of the Union League. The chorus of the sons 
of Belial, 

11 We '11 hang Parson Taylor to a sour apple tree," 

Was varied to "Parson Smith" in front of his house, to his honor now as 
then. It was more than suspected that the fires which twice during the 
war destroyed his extensive paper mill were of incendiary origin, the re- 
sult of political spite, as were many more, throughout the North, in those 
times. But his life-work should undoubtedly have been wholly given to 
the ministry, where it afterward went, and still continues, with much 
usefulness. 

Henry W. Benedict, trustee, steward, class leader, and for 
three years Sunday school superintendent, was the next most 
prominent and useful man in the church. A diligent, true-hearted, 
sweet-spirited man, generous of his means, devotedly pious, whose life 
and his bar soap and candles alike, helped to make a cleaner and bright- 
er world. He afterward emigrated to Iowa. 

Sheldon Miles was a trustee, a man of superior reading and in- 
telligence, whose Methodism and Eepublicanism were as even and 
strong as the clock-cord he spun in his rope-walk. 

Jared Bassett was a trustee whose integrity was as solid as the 
granite he squared with his " stone-ax." 

Warren French was an exhorter, whose exhortations went to 
the hearts of sinners as red-hot as the augers he twisted at his forge. 



90 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

LUG-RAND Sharpe, formerly for nine years Sunday school superin- 
tendent^ was steward and Sunday school treasurer, a shy, quiet, pray- 
erful man, whose will was as firm for the right as the lap-stone he 
hammered, and his interest in the missionary cause as lasting as sole- 
leather, and borne out by generous gifts for that good work. 

Smith Botsford was a trustee, a quiet, worthy man, whose "de- 
mocracy" was as firmly set in him as the gudgeons of the mill-wheels he 
built ; and whose wife's pound-cake and doughnuts always took the pre- 
mium at church fairs, with " Grandma Bassettfs" a good second. 

William Noyes Storrs was a trustee and formerly Sunday 
school superintendent, a warm-hearted man, whose cheeks were as red 
as the apples he used to slyly leave in a basket on the parsonage porch. 

Wilson E. Hendryx was a faithful Steward and " tithingman, 7 
mighty in prayer and in muscle, who could charge on a disturber of 
worship as with the bayonets he forged for "Uncle Samuel." He gave 
noble evidence of this upon one memorable occasion,the story of which r 
as given to us by an eye-witness, is too good to be forgotten. 

A DISORDERLY CONSTABLE "YANKED" OUT OF CHURCH 
The Sunday evening general prayer meeting was always held in the 
basement of the church, and was largely attended. The seats were 
then benches with open slat backs. One Sunday evening three young 
men, one of whom was a saloon keeper and a constable of the town, 
and an active "Copperhead" politician, whom we will call John Jones, 
because that wasn't his name, took their seats in a row on the third 
bench from the front, in the middle block, and thrust their legs across 
the second bench, in front of them. On rising from the opening prayer 
Mr. Taylor discovered their position, and quietly asked them to put 
down their feet, and conduct themselves with propriety in the house of 
God. Two of them complied with the request, but Mr. Constable Jones 
folded his arms and looked defiance atthe pastor. Mr. Taylor calmly took 
out his watch and said, "Mr. Jones, as an officer of the law it is your 
duty to set a good example yourself, and to arrest on sight, any person 
you see in the act of disturbing any lawfully convened assembly. It is 
your duty now to arrest yourself. I give you one minute by the watch, 
in which to take down your feet and conform your conduct to the re- 
quirements of the civil law and the proprieties of God's house. You 
must obey or be arrested." The offender sat in brazen silence, and 
the pastor held his watch, while a pin-fall could been heard in the 



: 



PASTORATE OF REV. GEORGE LANSING TAYLOR. 91 

room ; till he said quietly : " Time. Brother Hendryx, you are the tith- 
ingman of this church, and know the duties of your offiee. I request 
you to perform them." In an instant Brother H. was on his feet, 
and turning to stalwart Brother W. W. Dibble, who sat near by, and 
clapping him on the shoulder, he said in a deep tone : "Brother Dib- 
ble, in the name and by the authority of the people of the State of 
Connecticut, I command you to assist mein the performance of my 
official duty!" 

Bro. Dibble was at his side in an instant, and the two started for 
Mr. Constable Jones, who wreathed his arms around the bench slat, and 
strove desperately to maintain his seat. But four strong arms were too 
much for two, and the law-breaking guardian of the law was rudely col- 
lared and "yanked out of that," and roughly hustled down the aisle and 
out of doors, fol- lowed by a crowd of his retainers. Once out of doors Mr. 
Jones began to perceive the stern realities of his situation, with heavy pen- 
alties and forfeiture of office staring him in the face, and he begged for mer- 
cy. As his family were highly respectable,and old neighbors, Bro. Hendryx 
said: "We'll give you your choice. You shall pledge your personal and of- 
ficial word and honor as security that neither yourself nor one of your 
crowd shall misbehave in our church again. If one of them disturbs 
us we are to arrest you for that offence and for this one too. Pledge 
us this, or go home with me for to-night and go before Judge Munson 
to morrow morning ! " "I pledge," said the crest-fallen Jones, "that I 
will be personally and officially responsible that you shall not be dis- 
turbed again." " Well then," said Hendryx, "here's my hand and my 
advice, 'Go in peace and sin no more.' " And he went, and his crowd. 
And "Mr. Jones" honorably kept his word, so far as the church prem- 
ises extended, and that was the end of rowdyism in the Methodist 
church, and in all other churches in the village. 

Judson English, of Great Hill, was class leader, exhorter, trus- 
tee and chorister there, a good man, fervent in prayer, whose many 
year's of lockjaw did not prevent his being an old-fashioned shouter to 
the last, and for whose shouts both saints and sinners had respect. 

Elliott Boss Bassett, a good man and true, was Sunday school 
superintendent at Great Hill. 

Mrs. Almira Hull, of Great Hill, was the treasurer of that 
church and one of "the excellent of the earth." 



92 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

Eev. Spencer H. Bray was a harness maker here when 
Mr. T. first came here, and a recently licensed and promising young 
local preacher, whom the young people heard gladly. 

William D. (" Billy") Bissell, son-in-law of Sylvester Smith, 
was the rarely rich tenor in the choir, whose singing was always an in- 
spiration. 

Miss Laura M. French, daughter of Warren, new Mrs. Shel- 
don of Forestville, was a very useful day school and Sunday school 
teacher and Missionary collector ; and to Laura were due, in part, the 
laurels of that big missionary collection; though 870 of it were pledged 
in church after the pastor's missionary sermon. 

REVIEW. 

But no list could contain all the good and worthy people who helped 
the young pastor through the cares, trials, joys, and delightful labors 
of his first itinerant charge. He never had but one difference with 
those good people. And that was when, in his first year at a strawberry 
festival, he found that they were selling "chances" on a fine bedquilt. 
He remonstrated thereat, and pointed out to them that it was a "lot- 
tery," 7 pure and simple, as much as though done in a faro bank, and, as 
such, violated the laws of both church and State. The good people 
confessed their error and promised it should never occur again, and it 
never did. Would that all the churches would do the same ! 

Pleasant memories for life ought to haunt a minister's first pastor- 
ate, especially. Here on July 6th, 1862, George Lansing, Junior, Mr. 
T's first child, was born. Here he and his young wife climbed steep 
Castle Bock and gray Bock Bimmon together, and he threaded the wild 
trout brooks, and caught trout as well as men. His parish extend- 
ed from Bethany to "Squantuck," (where Charles Johnson and family 
were converted) and from Pinesbridge nearly to Ansonia, and he visit- 
ed it all. Never in but one house, which shall be nameless, did he and 
his wife receive rudeness, and that was the result of the political spite 
of a woman, a sister, who took out her fight in insulting the pastor 
and his wife as " Nasty abolitionist nigger lovers V But "variety is the 
spice of v remembrance, as well as of current u life." 

During the latter part of his second year, (the limit then), Mr. Tay- 
lor had invitations to the churches in York street, Brooklyn, New Ca- 
naan, Bidgefield and New Britain. He preferred the latter, to which 
he was appointed in April, 1864. When he left Seymour, the pseudo 



PASTORATE OF REV. GEORGE LANSING TAYLOR. 93 

" Mr. Jones, Constable," came to hear his closing sermon to a full 
house, and was reported to have said, " Fm sorry to have Mr. Taylor 
leave town. He has done this town good." He spoke from expe- 
rience. He was an improved man, as his acquaintances testified. 

Mr. Taylor's family showed their fondness for Seymour by spending 
their summer vacation here, under "uncle Jerry Bassett's great ma- 
ple door-yard tree, in 1867, when Mr. T. was pastor of Carlton Avenue 
charge, Brooklyn, for which he built Simpson Church. 

One of Mrs. Taylor's brothers, Mansfield J. French, found his wife 
in the person of a Seymour girl, Miss Libbie H. Smith. See our vol- 
2d, page 514, year 1869. Mrs. French died at Syracuse, S". Y., Feb- 
ruary 22d, 1884. 



A " YANKEE TKICK" 

THAT WOULD BEAR REPEATING FOR CHRISTMAS. 



Anent the " tricks" of the Yankees, Mr. Taylor tells this pleasant 
story of good Bro. Henry W. Benedict, of whom we have spoken on 
page 89 : 

On Christmas morning, 1863, Mrs. Taylor found the flour barrel 
empty, and started her husband off in a hurry down to Randall's store 
to order another, before the stores closed for the day. At the store Mr. 
Taylor found Bro. Benedict on a similar errand, who came to him and, 
in his meek, drawling tones, said : " B-r-o-t-h-e-r T-a-y-1-o-r, my — wife — 
wanted — me — to — buy — a — turkey; and — I — don't — know — much — 
about — turkeys. Won't — you — help — me — pick — out — a — good — 
one ?" "Oh, yes, certainly, if I can be of any service to you," replied 
the parson, and followed Benedict to the counter, where lay a huge 
pile of the " Thanksgiving birds." " I — want — the — best — one — in — 
the — pile/' piped Bro. B. with hardly his usual modesty, the pastor 
thought. And so Mr. Taylor tumbled over the turkeys till he found 
a large and rarely fine young gobbler, fat and tender, weighing four- 
teen pounds. "There, Bro. Benedict," said he, "that's the best bird 



94 PASTORATE OF REV. GEORGE LANSING TAYLOR. 

in the pile, I think ; see how plump and tender he is, and fat enough 
to baste in his own juice. He's a beauty!" " Well, I guess you're 
right. My wife ought to be suited with Mw," drawled Benedict. He 
paid for the turkey, a paper bag went over him, and Bro. B. took his 
bird by the legs, and he and the parson walked home together, over 
the " Promised Land," for a short cut. 

The parsonage, by this road, was the next house beyond Bene- 
dict's, and when they got opposite Bro. B's house he turned to his 
pastor and drawled out: " IsT-o-w, B-r-o-th-e-r T-a-y-1-o-r, Fve carried 
— this— turkey — so — far, — and — if — you'll — take — him — and — carry — 
him— to— the — parsonage — he's yours !" and handed the gobbler to the 
dumbfounded parson, who had thus, by the cold steel-trap trick of the 
meekest of men, been made to pick out for himself the best turkey in 
town. There was no getting out of it. He had to stammer out his 
apologies and thanks, and carry the bird home to his crowing young 
wife, who then showed him a huge roast of beef, a brace of fat capons, 
a spare-rib of pork, a bushel of red apples, and a peck of hickory nuts, 
that had come from other friends while he had been gone down town. 
And that was only a fair sample of their two years in Seymour, and 
of the way Seymour has always had the reputation of treating its 
pastors. "Copperheadism" had rich offsets there. 



ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 95 



OFFICIAL MEMBEKS A¥D COMMITTEES, 

J-TTlKnE! 1, 1886. 

Preacher in charge, EEV. A. McNICHOL. 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 

Term expires in 1836. Term expires in 1887. Term expires in 1888. 

L. T. Wooster, A. W. Lounsbury, Sheldon Miles, 

Thomas Sharpe, W. K Storrs, W. W. Dibble, 

Joseph Hitchcock. O. D. Sykes. W. B. Johnson, 

President, Sheldon Miles ; Secretary, Dennis Munson ; Treasurer, 

L. T. Wooster. 

STEWARDS: 

S. R. Butler, L. T. Wooster, W. C. Sharpe, C. H. Guild, James 
Maybury, E. T. Kelsey, John Schofield, A. C. Peck, W. H. Gladwin, C. H. 
Lounsbury, W. N. Storrs, Eli Gillette, J. W. Tomlinson. Recording 
steward, S. R. Butler; district steward, W. C. Sharpe. 

Sunday School Superintendent, T. Sharpe. 

COMMITTEES, appointed March 22, 1886. 

On missions and church extension: A. W. Lounsbury, W. W. Dib- 
ble, L. T. Wooster, Carl Carlson, W. N. Houghtaling. 

On Sunday Schools : Mrs. Chas. Short/ Carl Carlson, Mrs. M. R. 
Castle, A. C. Peck, O. D. Sykes, Mrs. S. T. Carpenter, W. B. Johnson, 
Mrs. E. G. Peck, Mrs. C. H. Guild. 

On tracts, E. T. Kelsey, Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury, Mrs. M. A. Sackett. 

On temperance, W. N. Houghtaling, D. H. Munson, L. T. Wooster, 
H. A. Radford, T. Sharpe, Carl Carlson. 

On education, W. C. Sharpe, Sheldon Miles, T. Sharpe, S. R. Butler, 
D. H. Munson. 

On church records, C. H. Guild, L. T. Wooster, T. Sharpe. 

On parsonage and furniture, W. N. Storrs, Mrs. F. C. Gerard, Mrs. 
L. T. Wooster. 

On church music, L. T. Wooster, W. N. Storrs, Sheldon Miles. 

Estimating committee, S. R. Butler. A. C. Peck, L. T. Wooster, J. 
W. Tomlinson. 



96 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

NYUMPHS METHODISTS. 

As a part of the circuit fifty years ago, Nyumphs, a school district 
in the part of what is now Beacon Falls, may well have mention here. 
We have no record of its membership, but gather a few particulars 
principally from those whose memories span the long interval, or have 
heard something of the story of early Methodism from their parents. 

David French, born in 1741, recorded a landholder in Nyumphs in 
1766, and his wife Lois, were prominent among the early Metho- 
dists. Philo Sanford, and his wife Nancy, were earnest members of 
this zealous band. He died March 4, 1863, and his wife June 23, 
1863. The above and also Timothy Lounsbury, who lived a mile 
beyond David French ; John A. Ooe, near the tannery; Louis Sackett, 
and William Gillette and wife, of Pinesbridge, all opened their houses 
to the hard-working and ill-paid Methodist ministers, and for religious 
services, which were also held by turn in the Nyumphs school house. 
These veterans have all passed away, but their work remains, and in 
evidence of it may be seen the neat church at Beacon Falls, on 
elevated land overlooking a portion of the beautiful valley of the 
Naugatuck, with a background of lofty wooded hills and blessed with 
what is of greatest value, a united band of faithful Christian workers. 

GLEANINGS, 

Among the early members of the Humphreysville church were Abel 
Wilcox, father of Mrs. Sarah A. Hughes, and his second wife, the 
widow Nettleton; Job Andrews and wife, who lived just beyond 
Wilcox, on the Bethany road; Stoddard Chatfield and wife; Freedom 
Bennett and wife Maria, sister of Merrit Osborn ; Orren Peck, the 
blacksmith on the Woodbridge road; Truman Terrell, father of Smith 
Terrell ; William Merritt Osborn, who lived near the match factory ; 
Jonathan Clark and wife Amelia, 98 years old last March, also a sister 
of Merrit Osborn. Mrs. Maria Bennett died in New Haven a few 
months since, aged 91. The names of E. H. Frisbie and James 
Wiswel, of New Haven, are recalled as local preachers, who rendered 
good service. 

John Winterbottom, the father of the talented and famous Mrs. 
Ann S. Stephens, junior partner of the firm of T. Vose & Co., suc- 
cessors to Gen. Humphrey in the manufacture of broadcloth, was for 
some time the choirster of the church, when congregational singing 
w r as the custom. 



PASTORATE OF REV. A MCNICHOLL. 97 

EEPOET OF THE 
TREASURER OE THE BOARD OE TRUSTEES. 

to the fourth quarterly conference, 
March 22, 1886. 

Received of Ladies Aid Society, $167.09 

Received for sale of fence, 10.00 

Received of Thos. Sharpe, 12.90 

Received loan, 225.00 

$414.99 

Paid Thos. Sharpe on Parsonage improvements, 8288.71 

Paid Thos. Sharpe on cemetery fence, 12.90 

Paid W. ST. Houghtaling for walks around parsonage, 61.82 

Paid for Parsonage Furniture, &c, 34.61 

$398.21 

Balance in Treasury, $ 16.78 

L. T. WOOSTER, Treasurer. 



CEMETERY ACCOUNT. 

RECEIPTS. 

From Joseph Crowther for lot No. 57, $10.00 

From John Tocher for lot No. 21, 10.00 

For a single burial place, 2.00 

$22.00 
PAYMENTS. 

For repairing fence, $ 1.43 

For four corner stones, to mark avenues, 16.00 

Cash on hand, 4.57 

$22.00 



98 annals of the seymour m. e. church. 

Eeport of the Treasurer of the Board of Stewards 
From Apr. 15, 1885, to Mar. 31, 1886. 

RECEIPTS. 

Balance in treasury April 12th, 1885, $ .82 

Subscription of July 19, 1885, 43.25 

Subscription of Sept. 22, 1885, 6.00 

Collected by W. M. Houghtaling, . . 10.00 

Collections for current expenses, 115.49 

Pew rents, from C. H. Guild, collector, 917.50 

Collections for the poor, 27.61 



$1,120.67 

(The following sums, both collected and disbursed by special committees, 
are included here and also with payments in order to give a complete state- 
ment of current receipts and expenses.) 

Subscription collected by W. K Storrs, in the Spring of 1885, 23.00 

Collected at Great Hill to apply on pastor's salary, 150.00 

Subscription of Mar. 21, 1886, 130.00 

$1,423.67 
PAYMENTS. 
On indebtedness of previous year, to S. E. Butler. . . .$56.00 

to C. T. Walker. . . . .6.00 $ 62.00 

To pastor for moving expenses, 12.00 

To Kev. A. McMcholl, pastor, from Great Hill, . . . 150.00 
By treasurer of the board of stewards, . 720.00 

By special committee, 130.00 

Making salary in fall, 1,000.00 

To Eev. W. H. Wardell, presiding elder, 36.00 

To Miss Effie J. Davis, organist, 50.00 

To C. F. Northrop, janitor, 125.00 

To Eev. J. W. Davis, supply of pulpit in absence of pastor, 6.00 

Fuel $54.00, lights $6.83, 6 lamp brackets $2.40 63.23 

To W. N. Storrs, interest on parsonage debt, 28.50 

Transportation of tent to and from Campmeeting, 5.00 

Wine for Sacramental occasions, 5.00 

Envelopes for the collector's use, $1.75, snow shovel, .45, 2.20 

Printing reports of treasurer and pastor, April 1st, 1885, 2.25 

Paid to needy members, 22.00 

(Total expenditure, $1,419.18) Balance in the treasury, 4.49 



$1,423.67 
W. C. SHAEPE, Treasurer. 






PASTORATE OF REV. A MCNICHOLL. 99 

In addition to the foregoing considerable sums have been collected for 
various purposes by special committees, including over $100.00 for the 
choir, and a liberal amount for a needy brother. 

The rental of the slips in April, 1885, amounted to $994.00, on which 
there were some reductions on account of removals, sickness, etc. 

A new furnace has been put in at a cost of $162.99, of which $130.00 
has been raised by subscription, the following giving each $5, L. T. 
Wooster, Eev. A. McNichol, S. E. Butler, T. Sharpe, A. W. Louns- 
bury, O. D. Sykes, A. O. Peck, W. H. Gladwin and W. N. Storrs. 
The old stove was turned in at $3.50, leaving due on the furnace $29.49. 

The Sunday School has raised and expended for library, lesson helps, 
etc., about $135.00, beside a large sum expended for the benefit of the 
school by the superintendent at his own expense. 

INDEBTEDNESS. 

The indebtedness of the church at the commencement of the confer- 
ence year was, $475.00 on the parsonage and $62.00 on current ex- 
penses, making a total of $537.00. 

The present indebtedness is $700.00 on the parsonage, $29.49 on the 
new furnace, about $18.00 for work in the basement by O. D. 
Sykes, and $18.00 to Eev. J. W. Davis for service in the absence of 
the pastor, making a total of $763.45. 

BENEVOLENT COLLECTIONS. 

May 10, 1885, Subscription for Superanuated Preachers, $28.00 

Aug. 30, 1885, Tract collections, 5.00 

Oct. 25, for church extension, 40.00 

Jan. 10, 1886, for the Sunday School Union, 14.50 

Feb. 7, for the Educational Society, 36.00 

Missionary collections, in the Seymour Sunday School, $53.00 
in the Great Hill Sunday School, 17.00 
Feb. 28, in the congregation, . . 127.00—197.00 

For the Freedmen's Aid Society, 37.00 

For the American Bible Society, 2.00 

For M. E. church in Auburn, Maine, 3.00 

For Home Missions $13.00, Bible Cause $2.00__ 15.00 



Total, $377.50 



100 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Current expenses for year, per steward's report , $1,350.18 

Balance on previous year, 62.00 

Improvements and repairs, per report of^trustees, 398.21 

Cost of the new Furnace, 162.99 

Subscription for the Choir, 100.00 

Eaised in Sunday school for Sunday school work, 135.00 

Benevolent Collections, ...» 362.00 

$2,570.38 
INSURANCE. 

On the Seymour Church $5,000.00 

On the Parsonage, 1,800.00 

On the Great Hill Church,. 1,500.00 

Total, $8,300.00 



At a meeting of the joint official board on Thursday evening, July 
2d, it was voted that an addition be built on the rear of the parsonage, 
13x14. At the same meeting it was voted that concrete walks be laid 
from the street to the parsonage door, and across to the church walk 
Similar action was also taken by the board of trustees acting separately. 



STANDINGS RESOLUTIONS. 

The following resolutions have been in effect for several years, with 
the exception that the printing of the annual report has of late been 
deferred until the close of the conference year. 

Resolved, that the treasurer of the board of stewards have one 
hundred copies of his report printed, with the report of the trustees, 
for distribution at the fourth quarterly conference in each year. 

Resolved, that the treasurer of the board of stewards be elected by 
the joint official board, and that he receive the collections and pay the 
incidental expenses, including fuel, lights and sexton. 







THOMAS SHARPE. 



THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL. 101 



SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT. 
Dee. 28, 1886. 

ROLL OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD. 

Chairman, eoc-officio, Bev. A. McNicholl. 
Superintendent, Thomas Sharpe. Librarian, Burton Holbrook. 
Asst. Supt., Wm. H. Gladwin. Asst. Librarian, James McKay. 
Recording Secy., W. C. Sharpe. Bee. Librarian, E. T. Kelsey. 
Treasurer, Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury. Chorister, Albert 0. Butler. 
School Secy., Arthur Gladwin. Organist, Miss Effie Davis. 

TEACHERS. 

Class No. 1 Mrs. Wilson Wyant. Class No. 12 Miss Cora Dibble. 

2 Miss Leila Bartlett. 13 James Maybury. 

3 Mrs. W. C. Sharpe. 14 A. W. Lounsbury. 

4 Miss A. L. Burroughs. 15 Dwight Garrett. 

5 Miss Minnie Gladwin. 16 W. C. Sharpe. 

6 Mrs. C. H. Jorey. 17 W. W. Dibble. 

7 Edward Bice. 18 Mrs. W. W. Dibble b 

8 Mrs. A. W. Lounsbury. 19 S. E. Butler. 

9 Miss May L. Lounsbury. 20 W. H. Gladwin. 

10 Mrs. F. C. Gerard 21 Charles Short. 

11 Miss E. E. Wooster. 22 L. T. Wooster. 

23 Mrs. James Maybury. 
SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 

O. D. Sykes. A. C. Peck. W. B. Johnson. 

Mrs. M. E. Castle, Mrs. E. G. Peck. Carl Carlson. 

Mrs. S. T. Carpenter. Mrs. Chas. Short. Mrs. C. H. Guild. 



102 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



EEPOET OF THE SEOEETAEY. 

The whole number of officers, teachers and scholars is 218, and the 
average attendance for the year 145. The number of Sunday-school 
Advocates taken is 14, Teachers Journal 42, Temperance Banner 60, 
Picture Lesson Papers 30. About $60.00 has been raised for addition 
to the library, of which the superintendant gave one half. 

Children's Day, June 13th. The day was celebrated in the man- 
ner recommended by our church Board of Education and generally ob- 
served by the denomination. The church was tastefully decorated with 
flowers and foliage, with appropriate floral emblems. In the morning the 
services consisted of a sermon by Eev. W. H. Wardell, Presiding Elder, 
and singing and responsive readings by the school. In the evening an 
interesting programme was given by the Sunday-school, consisting prin- 
cipally of singing, responsive reading and recitations. As in past years 
a liberal response was made to the call for contributions for the Educa- 
tional Fund. 

The annual Sunday-school picnic took place on Tuesday, July 13th. 
The members of the school and their friends to the number of 270 went 
by the cars to New Haven, and from there by the excursion boat Juno 
to Pawson Park. A pleasant time was enjoyed and the return trip 
was made in good season without accident. 

The annual Christmas entertainment was held on Thursday evening, 
Dec. 25th, with singing, recitations, dialogues, Christmas tree distribu- 
tion, etc. 

A special meeting of the Sunday-school board was held Oct. 18th, at 
which it was voted to adopt the constitution given in the discipline, 
with the following amendments. 

Art. 4, To fill the blank by inserting the words " The Tuesday eve- 
ning preceding the first Sunday in January ; " and to amend so that all 
voting for officers shall be by ballot. 

Art. 6, to insert the word u seven. v 

W. C. SHAEPE, Secretary. 



THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL. 103 



EEPOET OF THE TEEASUEEE. 

RECEIPTS. 

Missionary Collections— Jan., $23.00 ; May, $17.16 ; Sept., 

$13.87 $54.03 

Collections for Sunday School uses — Feb., $14.80; Mar., 
$14.98; Apr., $12.62; June, $11.07; July, $12.13; 
Aug., $17.89; Oct., $15.65; Nov., $13.29; Dec, 
$11.54 $123.97 

Total, $178.00 

EXPENSES. 

Lesson helps, (books, lesson leaves, etc.,). $27.96 

Annuals, class papers and quarterly report forms 9.25 

Fifty copies of u The Temperance Banner," for 1886, 7.20 

Wall charts to illustrate the lessons, 8.00 

One new Book-case with glass front, 12.25 

Numbers and incidentals for library 1.15 

Children's day programs, per Eev. A. MclSTicholl 3.00 

Eeward cards 8.43 

Catechisms .45 

Divided among classes for Christmas gifts, per order S. S. Board, 25.00 

Eesponsive readings and other Christmas expenses 4.44 

Missionary collection for January, paid over 23.00 

(Included in conference report, for 1885-6.) 

Missionary money on hand 31.03 

Paid on Library Catalogues 12.00 

Cash in treasury 4.84 

Total, $178.00 
MES. A. W. LOUNSBUEY, Treasurer. 



105 



THE CHURCH LIBRARY. 



In May, 1883, it was proposed to make a beginning in the way of a 
church library, and the following sums were contributed: T. Sharpe, 
85.00, W. 0. Sharpe $2.00 and 17 volumes, B. T. Sharpe $2.00, E. 
C. Sharpe $1.00, W. H. Gladwin $1.00, James McKay 50c, Oliver 
Doolittle 50c, Harry Northrop 50c, Harry Beach 25c, total $12.75. 
With this sum a neat book case was purchased and placed in a corner 
of the church basement where it was not "in the way" and was yet 
convenient of access, and a few books were purchased. Circumstances 
have not been favorable for the growth of this department of the church 
work and beyond occasional loans of the books nothing further has 
been done. To mention but one of the many classes of books desira- 
ble in a church library, it was hoped to add a collection of works on the 
history and polity of the Methodist Episcopal Church, among which 
may be named the following: 

Chnrch Lyceum, Its Organization and Management, T. B. Neely, A. M. 

Church Polity, Bishop Morris. 

Church Polity, Essay on, Rev. A. Stevens, L. L. D. 

Church School and its Officers, J. H. Vincent, D. D. 

Compendium of Methodism, by Rev. James Porter, D. D. 

Comprehensive History of Methodism, by Rev. James Porter, D. D. 

Discipline, Guide Book, Bishop Baker. 

Helps to Official Members, Rev. James Porter, D, D. 

Illustrated History of Methodism, Daniels. 

Methodist Law, Bishop S. M. Merrill, D. D. 

Methodism and Literature, Rev. F. A. Archibald, D. D. 

Relations of Civil Law to Church Polity, by Hon. Wm. Strong, L. L. D. 

What has been done in this direction has been in accordance with 
the provisions of fl 262, §8 of the Discipline, where it is specified that 



106 ANNULS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

one duty of the committee on education is "to provide a library, text- 
books and books of reference," etc. See also fl 565. 

Even though the books above named are not in general demand, 
it would yet be well to have a copy of each where it will be available to 
those who may desire to read or consult them. Hoping that these sug- 
gestions regarding a church library may be received as they are given? 
in the sincere desire to advance the cause for which the church was es- 
tablished, we close with the following extracts from an article on church 
libraries by Eev. F. A. Archibald, D. D., which was published in the 
Christain Advocate. 

" Every church in the land should be supplied with a church library, 
broad and commanding in its character, elevating and refining in its 
influence ; making the church at once an intellectual center and a well 
supplied arsenal where the youth and the adult alike may find the keen- 
edged sword with which he may smite down all infidel sophistry. 
What we need to-day is a reading church. With breadth of informa- 
tion comes breadth of sympathy and corresponding activity. 

The insatiable thirst of the present generation for reading matter re- 
quires that the church should furnish her membership, and especially 
the young, with a wholesome literature to edify, confirm, and elevate 
spiritually and intellectually. This may be done by establishing in each 
church a church library. Literature suitable to this purpose is so var- 
ied, rich, and inexpensive that the humblest church may accomplish 
this work. Many churches have already taken hold of this movement, 
and with unabated interest the work continues to grow and develop. 
Books should be provided to meet every possible want. No expense 
too costly and no effort too great if we shall save our youth and build 
them up into a Christly life. The church is receiving a wonderful im- 
petus in various fields of activity. For intellectual development she in- 
augurates the lyceum movement; for moral reform, the temperance 
work. She has her Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies; 
and also her general Denominational benevolent societies and institu- 



CHURCH LIBRARY. 107 

tions. Upon all this general work the rays of intense light should be 
cast. Books should be supplied to promote intelligence upon all these 
various interests. These books should voice the will of the church to 
her millions, persuading, convincing, urging them forward to greater 
and nobler activities. How many there are in the church to-day who 
never hear the voice or language of the church through soul-stirring 
literature. Not that the church has failed to speak, but so many have 
failed to hear. The church has, indeed, a rich heritage in her litera- 
ture, but it must be brought to the people, and we know of no wiser or 
better method to accomplish this than by adopting the plan of organiz- 
ing church libraries of broad and commanding influence. 

For plans for organizing church libraries we would refer the reader 
to a volume recently published by the Methodist Book Concern, called 
Methodism and Literature, which contains a full account of this move- 
ment, and plans for organizing the work, together with a choice selec- 
tion of five thousand valuable books adapted to the use of such libraries." 



4.0b 



Historical Sketch, by Rev. Samuel R. Hickcox, 

And. Other IVLantiscripte, Found Under the 
Corner Stone, Jnly 14, 1891. 



The original name of this place was Nau-ko-tunk, literally one big 
tree. The tree was a hemlock of enormous size and stood near the 
bank of the river on the east side, near and below the falls. The 
river took its name from this place, which is improperly called 
Naugatuck. Afterward, about 1760, it took the name Chusetown, 
Chuse being the nick-name given to Joseph Mau-we-hu by Gideon 
Washband, who lived south of the first brook on the road leading from 
this place to Derby. The first man that moved into this place was 
Benajah Johnson, who came from Derbv, but was a native of New 
Haven. His father lived in a house where the Exchange building 
now stands. He had eight sons, two of whom moved into Derby. 
Benajah built the first house of logs near the foot of the hill on the 
east side of the road north of where Thomas Gilyard now lives. Not 
long after three other men moved into the place, all* of the name of 
Johnson — Timothy, Ebenezer and Joseph were their proper . names. 
Timothy, the father of Alexander Johnson, did not remain in the place 
many years, but returned back to the* south part of Derby. This son, 
Alexander, afterward occupied the same place. The first four men 
were relatives, though Benajah onl£ by marriage, he and Timothy 
having married two sisters, Sarah and Mary Brewster, the grand- 
daughters of -Nathaniel Brewster, a clergyman, who was the first 
minister settled at Setauket, Long Island. Nathaniel Brewster was 
the son of Jonathan Brewster, who, with his father, Elder William 
Brewster, came to Plymouth Rock in the May Flower, just about one' 
hundred years before Benajah Johnson moved into this place. Isaac 
Johnson, the sou of Benajah Johnson, gave the land where the first 
meetinghouse stood and the burying-ground adjacent, to his son, Jesse 
Johnson, embracing the site where the house now to be erected for 
divine worship is to be placed. The first meetinghouse was built by 
individuals, mostly Congregationalists, who were formed into a society of 
Separates, and had for their first minister, Benjamin Beach, a Separate 
minister, who moved from North Haren into this place in 1786. 
Lucy Johnson died March 9th, 1788, and was the first white person 
buried in this ground. Martha Johnson was the next, and Israel 
French was the next. 



The first Methodist society formed in this place was in February, 
1797, consisting of six members, Jesse Johnson, Isaac Baldwin, Esther 
Baldwin, Sarah Baldwin, Eunice Baldwin, Daniel Ro we, Leader. Joined 
shortly afterward: George Clark, Lucy Hitchcock, Stiles Johnson, Olive 
Johnson. 

Bro. Fisher was the first Methodist preacher in Derby, and the so* 
ciety was formed by Augustus Jocelyn. After the death of Isaac John- 
son in 1812, the old meetinghouse and land adjoining came permanently 
into the possession of the Methodist society, his sons, Jesse and Stiles, 
with their families and many of their relatives, having become Metho- 
dists. Freeborn Garretson presided at the "first quarterly meeting held 
here in the old meetinghouse in 1803. This appointment at that time 
was included in a circuit which embraced Bridgewater in New Milf ord, 
Derby, Milford, New Haven, Haddam, Middletown, Berlin, Prospect, and 
all the intermediate space, called "Middletown Circuit.' 7 The Methodist 
preachers came to this place as early as 1791 or '92, and preached in every 
place where they found an open door. The society remained small a 
long time. In its commencement it encountered a great amount of 
prejudice and considerable persecution. There was no considerable 
additions to the society until the first revival of religion in the place, 
which was extensive. It commenced at a- watch night in the old 
meetinghouse in 1816. Before I conclude I would give a specimen 
of the persecution that the infant society endured at its commence- 
ment. At one of their meetings, in time of preaching, the perse- 
cutors went on the ladder and stopped the top of the chimney, so that 
the smoke drove the congregation out of the house. They also fre- 
quently threw squibs of powder into the fire in time of worship to the 
great annoyance of the people, but it was afterward discovered that God 
had ordained his arrows against the persecutors; it was ,obvious that a 
curse followed almost all those young men, and numbers of them were 
cut* down in the prime of life. One of the first members of the infant 
society and a witness of the above will probably see the laying of the 
corner stone of the new House. 

It is with feelings of no ordinary kind that I now write. This 
hand will soon be cold in death, and this body wasting in the grave, to- 
gether with all those whose names are recorded in this book. Oh! 
what changes may be effected, what trials endured, what conflicts en- 
countered by those who may come after us, and occupy the seats and the 
places which we now fill in the church of God. He in whose name, and 
to whose honor and glory we erect this house, and to whose worship 
and service we consecrate it in all coming time. He and He alone can 
tell. Years and years with their inhabitants will have rolled away and 
passed into eternity before this book shall again see the light or hu- 
man eye rest upon these pages. With deep emotions of soul I would 
record my gratitude to God for his mercies and goodness and with 
earnest and solemn prayer commend the church and all her interests 
to God, now and forever, Amen. 

Samuel R. Hickcox, Scribe. 

Humphreysville, June 19th, 1847. 



The following are the names of the trustees of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church in Humphreysville: Rev. Sylvester Smith, Rev. Samuel R. 
Hickcox, Warren French, Lyman Hartson, Jared Bassetfc, Wm. M. 
Osborn, Sheldon Miles, Wm. B. Watson, Wilson Wyant. 

Names of Building Committee— SyrYester Smith, Samuel R. Hickcox, 
Jared Bassett. 

Messrs. Hotchkiss & Clark, Birmingham, architects. 

Master builder, AmosHine, of Woodbridge. 

Names of his workmen— Dea. Wm. Plum, Joseph S. Newton, Horace 
Holbrook,George R. Sperry, Wm. W. Plum. 

Master Mason, Jared Bassett. 

Names of his workmen— Timothy Hitchcock, Ira Phelps, Horace 
Yale, Isaac Bassett. Daniel Lyons, tender. 

The following are the names of the members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, Humphreysville, June 16th, 1847: 



Sylvester Smith, Local Elder. 
Samuel R. Hickcox, Local Deacon. 
Warren French, Exhorter. 



first class: 



Thomas Cochran, Leader, 
Samuel R. Hickcox, Assistant. 



Sarah Hickcox, 
Henrietta Smith, 
Lois Gilyard, 
Maranda Hitchcock, 
Lydia Gilbert, 
Amanda Osborn, 
Amelia Clark, 
Eunice Bradley, 
Abel Wilcox, , 
Sally Basset^ 
Clarissa Wooster, 
Alva Davis, 
Abigail Bassett,* 
Julia Seeley,* 
R. Hotchkiss,* 



Sylvester Smith, 
Thomas Gilyard, 
Timothy Hitchcock, 
Nancy Bassett, 
Wm. M. Osborn, 
Jonathan Clark, 
Abigail Chatfield, 
Lydia Clark, 
Jared Bassett, 
Emeline Terrel, 
Shelden Miles, 
Samuel Bassett,* 
Delia McEwen,* 
Mary Ann Johnson,* 
Nathan Mansfield.* 



*These belong to Oxford. 

William Gilyard, William A. Hughes, 
John A. Bland, Caroline E. Bland, 

Emma M. Chipman, Abigail Scott, 
Horace Moulthroup. 



SECOND CLASS: 

Warren French, Leader, 
John Bodge, Assistant. 



Lucinda French, 
Amanda Osborn, 
Lugrand Sharpe, 
Mary A. Sharpe, 
Maria Sharpe, 
Betsey Whi^e, 
John F. Corey, 
Mary Hitchcock, 
John F. Marshall, 
Henry B. Beecher,. 
Malinda Corey, 
Sarah E. Bunnel, 
Mary Bunnel, 
Mark L. Northrop, 
Betsy Broadwell, 
Mary Botsford, 
Abigail O'Marah, 
Mary E. Reynolds, 
Harriet Denny, 
John L. Hartson, 
Albert Lounsbury, 
Rebecca Watson, 
Parmelia Smith, 
Anna Booth,| 
Stephen H. Culver, 
Eunice G. Hubbard, 



Huldah Bodge, 
Mary J. Chatfield, 
Olive M. Sharpe, 
Elizabeth Sharpe, 
William W. White, 
Polly Thorpe, 
Burritt Hitchcock, 
Abby Fox, 
Martha Marshall, 
Isaac B..Tolles, 
Samuel A. Bunnel, 
Esther A. Bunnel, 
Caroline E. Truesdale, 
Eliza Northrop, 
Lyman Botsford, 
Michael O'Marah, 
Ruth Ann Johnson, 
Solomon Denny, 
Hannah E. Short, 
Caroline Hurd, 
Wm. B. Watson, 
Orrin Murphy, 
Rosette Hendryx, 
Mary Ann Booth, 
Henry W. Lounsbury, 
Wilson Wyant, 



Violet Wyant. 



—97 



£0e 

For several years we have thought of building a church in this place. 
But our means have been so small that we dare not venture until now. 
And even now, we were one whole year in "preparing to commence 
the work. But God in His Providence has wonderfully opened the way, 
and thus far we have prospered. .Undoubtedly God will continue to be 
with us until the work is completed. We hope it will be the spirit- 
ual birth place of many souls. And I sincerely hope that in this house 
the pure Gospel will be preached by holy ministers of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. O, Lord, God of our fathers! May the time never 
come when it shall be said in truth : " The glory has departed from 
the Methodist Episcopal Church in Humphreysville." 

Sylvester Smith. 



The land on which this church is built was given by Isaac John- 
son to build a church which was erected here 60 years ago. But I think 
that the land was never deeded by him. His sons Jesse and Stiles 
became Methodists, and also some others of the family, and as they had 
control of the property it came into the hands of the Methodist So- 
ciety. Stiles Johnson, it would seem, finally owned the land, and before 
the Methodist Society rebuilt the house they obtained the within 
quit claim deed of the house from leading members of the Congre- 
gational Society. This, together with the will of Stiles Johnson, se- 
cured the premises to the Methodist Society. The quit claim would 
cut off all claim by right of possession. Soon after the making of 
his will Stiles Johnson died. When in February, 1846, the Methodist 
Episcopal Society resolved to build a new church, there were many 
who were in favor of a new location, but the society by a major vote 
decided on the old ground which has been so long hallowed by the 
prayers and songs of God's people. 

Sylvester Smith. 

18th June; 1847. 



THE SECOND CHURCH. 



113 



The following are the names of the subscribers to this House, together 
with the sums subscribed by each : 

Harvey Davis 5. 

Miles Culver 5. 

Truman Terrel 10. 

Betsey Broadwell 5. 

Horace Moulthroup 10. 

Burrit Skeeles 5. 

Wm. W.White 20. 

JohnF. Corey 20.25 

Horace A. Eadford 3. 

Horace Hurd 10. 

Sheldon Hurd 5. 

Sheldon Church 5. 

Mark Northrop 10. 

Ezekiel Gilbert 5. 

Andrew H. DeForest 10. 

Wm. M. Osborn 10. 

Burritt Hitchcock 50. 

Wilson E. Hendryx 20. 

Joseph Chipman 15. 

John A. Bland 25. 

Ashbel Storrs 5. 

Henry White 5. 

George Coe 50 

Philo Davis 5. 

George L. Hodge 10. 

Wm. H. Spencer 5. 

Lydia Keeny 5. 

Amos Smith 10. 

Elizur Perkins ... 5. 

Dr. Thomas Stoddard 5. 

Sheldon Miles 35. 

Widow B. Steele 5. 

Wm. Keeny 10. 

Glover Bassett 25. 

Philo B. Beecher 3. 

Rev. George L. Fuller 5. 

Wilson Wyant 10. 

James G. Hotchkiss 5. 

Walter French 5. 

Watson French 5. 

Kneeland Downs 1. 

John Biggs 3. 



Sylvester Smith 

Warren French 100. 

Samuel R. Hickox , 100. 

Charles Oatman 100. 

Jared Bassett 100. 

Job Andrew 100. 

Lydia Gilbert 

William F. Gilyard 50. 

Thomas Cochran 50. 

Samuel A. Bunnel 25. 

Oliver S. Chatfield 75. 

John P. Hartson 50. 

Julius Bassett 10. 

William A. Hughes 25. 

Thomas Gilyard 25. 

William B. Watson 25. 

Albert Lounsbury 12. 

Lugrand Sharpe 25. 

Sheldon Bassett, 5. 

Emeline Terrel 10. 

Samuel Roselle 15. 

Jerry Durand 10. 

Charles Hyde 10. 

David Clark 10. 

C. W. Candee 3. 

Harrison Tomlinson 15. 

Smith Clark 5. 

William Losee 5. 

Bennet Wooster 20. 

Maranda Hitchcock 5. 

Timothy Hitchcock 25. 

Stephen H. Culver 10. 

Stephen Treat 10. 

Renus Bunnell 2. 

Lorenzo M. Bassett 5. 

Samuel Bassett, 3d 10. 

William Hodge 5. 

Smith Botsford 5. 

Medad Tucker 15. 

Walter B. Clark 5. 

Wylis Umberfield 5. 

Burton Steele 15. 



114 ANNALS OF THE 

Denzel Hitchcock 

Eliakim Terrel., 

Jonathan Clark 

Charles Osborn 

Aner Woodin 

Ransom Burritt 

L. R. Finch 

Wales French, of H'ville 

George Leavenworth 

Wm. W. Steele 

Wm. H. Mathews 

Ira E. Stewart 

Abiram Tucker 

Oliver H. Stoddard 

Sarah Scott 

Laura Truesdale 

Mr. Isles - 

Abel Wilcox 

Leman Chatfield 

Thomas Holbrook 

Samuel Hickcox 

Lyman Smith 

Samuel Jack 

Samuel Lake 

George Washburn 

Thomas Sanford., 

Tne Sewing Society collected 
interior of the church. 



SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



10. Clark Miles 1.50 

5. Lyman Botsford 10. 

10. A Stranger paid 12J 

10. Henry Goodwin 5. 

10. Nathan P. Thomas 5. 

5. Henry Hickcox 1. 

1. Nelson Newton 1. 

5. James Perkins 2. 

5. Leverit Carrington 5. 

2. Treat Clark 5. 

3. Amelia Clark 5. 

3. Lowly Merrick 5. 

5. Mary Baker 2. 

2. David Johnson 5. 

1. Daniel Carrington 5. 

1. John Northrop 6. 

3. Nabby Scott 5. 

10. David Beach, Esqr..... 10. 

10. Lucina Spencer 2. 

5. Asa Hawkins 1. 

10. Sarah Hickcox 5. 

2. Sarah E. Bunnel 5. 

5. Esther A. Bunnel 6. 

1. Violette Wyant 5. 

5. Betsy Moulthroup 3. 

5. Mary Hartson 5. 

about sixty-five dollars for furnishing the 



: 



Stiles Johnson $100. 

Robert Lees 25. 

Thomas Gilyard 30. 



Here follows a list of the subscribers' names and the sums subscribed by 
each for the erection of the old house, 30 by 34 in size, 1818 : 

Jonathan Clark 7.20 

Ira Phelps, work 2. 

Josiah Canfield 4. 

Samuel Durand 10. 

Shelden Smith 10. 

John Riggs, lumber 12.50 

Newel Johnson 9.50 

Leverit Pritchard, paid Abel 

Bassett 5. 

John Crawford 5. 

Jared Bassett 13. 

Merritt Wooster, lumber 12.50 

Henry Miller 5. 



John Winterbottom 

Walter French, glass & nails, 
Elias Gilbert, joiner work.... 
Abel Bassett, joiner work.... 

B. English 

Isaac Johnson 

Orrin Peck, bPksmith work, 

Wm. M. Osborn 

Timothy Hitchcock, work & 
cash 



26. 
18. 
20. 
10. 

5.62 

5. 
11. 



11. 



THE FIRST CHURCH. 



115 



Frederick Rowe 5. 

David Hinman, nails & glass, 5. 
Riverus Carrington, team 

work 6. 

Seba Moulthroup, timber & 

work 6. 

Denzel Hitchcock 22. 

Samuel Bassett, Oxford 6. 

Ebenezer Fisher and Henry 

Laforge 5. 

Shelden Tucker 1. 

Elias Baldwin 10. 

Davis Smith 10. 

Abel Wilcox 2. 



Alva Davis 6. 

Bezaleel Peck 30. 

Daniel Holbrook 15.36 

John S. Moshier 2. 

Wm. Kirtland 2. 

Ezra Bassett 10. 

AmosDorman 2. 

John Smith 5. 

Anson Gillette 3. 

Eliphalet Easton 7. 

Samuel Bassett 19. 

Catherine Hubbard .50 

Truman Terrel 21.07 



The whole expense of rebuilding the old house $760.83 

Paid to Congregationalists 40.00 

Total $800.83 



The old house was purchased of the Congregationalists, and rebuilt by 
the Methodists, May 23d, 1818. S. R. H. 



116 



ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



[Lines written for the occasion of laying the corner stone of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Humphreysville, June 19th, 1847.] 



O, Thou who hearest prayer, 

To Thee for help we come ; 
Assist Thy servants, gracious Lord, 

To lay this corner stone. 

Whate'er is said this day, 

According to Thy Word, 
Hear Thou in Heaven, Thy dwelling place, 

And there our deeds record. 

Our fathers worshipped here, 

Upon this hallowed place ; 
O, may Thy mantle on us fall, 

Who come to seek Thy face . 

Bless our endeavors, Lord, 

To build a house for Thee, 
And when we in Thy temple meet, 

May we Thy glory see. 

And should Thy people sin, 

And pray towards this place, 
Hear Thou in Heaven, Thy holy throne, 

And grant forgiving grace. 

When earthly temples fail, 

And we from time remove, 
May Christ, our corner stone in Heaven, 

Give us a house above. 

A building in the skies, 

Not made by mortal hands, 
But lasting as the eternal throne, 

Where God, the Builder, stands. 

—A Member of the Church 



(Composed by Sally Bassett, wife of Jared Bassett, daughter of Rev. Jesse Johnson. 


































































■■ : ;ffi : M'f;« :; 

















REV. GEORGE B. DUSINBERRE. 



117 



Pastorate of Kev. 0. S. Williams. 

1888-9. 

In April, 1888, Rev. C. S. Williams was appointed pastor for Sey- 
mour and Great Hill and at the close of the year reported 239 mem- 
bers, an increase of three. The valuation given for the two churches, 
Seymour and Great Hill, was $10,000, parsonage $3,300, $225 ex- 
pended for improvements on the church property, and $225 paid on 
indebtedness. One Sundayschool was reported with 31 officers and 
teachers and 208 scholars. 



Pastorate of Rev. Geo. B. Dusinberre. 

1889-90. 

Rev. George B. Dusinberre was pastor from April, 1889, to April 
1890. The work of the church moved steadily along with favorable 
results. He preached both at Seymour and Great Hill and by the 
members of both churches is remembered as a kindly, earnest and 
faithful pastor. The Conference minutes for the year show a prosper- 
ous year financially, the current expenses of $1606 being paid in full, 
$100 expended in improvements on the church and parsonage, $600 
paid on the church indebtedness, and $212 contributed for missions 
and other benevolent purposes. The number of members at the close 
of the year was 220, with eight probationers. The number of officers, 
teachers and pulpits in the two Sundayschools at Seymour and Great 
Hill was 222. 



118 



THE PRESENT CHTJBCH. 



Whether to enlarge the old church or to build new had been under 
consideration for some time and was finally settled in 1891 by a de- 
cision to build new and retain the old audience room as an annex, for 
Sundayschool purposes, etc. A building committee was appointed 
consisting of L. T. Wooster, W. K Storrs, S. E. Butler, A. C. Peck 
and J. B. Perrins. Plans were secured for a building estimated to cost 
about $10,000, and builders were invited to bid for the contract. The 
new foundation for the old building was laid by the H. Wales Lines 
Co. of Meriden, the masonry for the foundation of the new structure 
was laid under the direction of S. E. Hubbell of Oxford, the contract 
for the superstructure was awarded to T. Sharpe of Seymour, and the 
building of the chimneys and the plastering were done by J. J. EL 
Collington. The carpenter work was pushed during the winter, the 
contractor, T. Sharpe, placing E. 0, Sharpe, as foreman, in charge of 
the work. 

Five thousand dollars was soon pledged, and a loan of $5,000 was 
obtained. Every effort was made to increase the building fund, each 
class in the Sundayschool making some special effort. By the u sale of 
bricks' 7 $200 was raised, and by the Sundayschool picnic for 1891, $100. 
Altogether the Sundayschool raised about $500 toward the cost of re- 
fitting the old audience room, which was done at an expense of about 
$1,200. The Ladies' Aid Society assumed $1,000, the Epworth League 
$400, and L. T. Wooster's class $175, the cost of the pulpit fixtures. 
On the Sunday previous to the dedication $3,500 was subscribed and 
on the day of the dedication about $325 more was raised. The cost 
of the organ, $1,600, was soon paid in full. 

The cost of the new building was about $11,000, exclusive of the re- 
moval of the old structure and refitting it, and the furniture and 




THE NEW CHURCH. 



THE PRESENT CHURCH. 119 

organ for the new structure, which bring the total to nearly $18,000. 
The success of the undertaking is largely due to L. T. Wooster, chair- 
man of the building committee, who headed the list with a subscription 
of $1,000, and to the energetic pastor, Rev. J. E. Holmes. 

The church is well lighted by large stained glass windows, one on 
the north side and one on the south, each handsomely designed in five 
sections. In the rear of the pulpit are three stained glass windows, 
the one on the right representing the Easter Lily, in the center the 
Child Christ, and on the left the Passion Plant. At the right of the 
pulpit is the pastor's study, a pleasant room well adapted to the pur- 
pose for which it was intended. At the left is the new organ and the 
choir gallery. The floor is handsomely carpeted, and the altar is 
cushioned with maroon plush. 

Tn the old audience room the pews were removed and replaced with 
chairs. The choir gallery was partitioned off on the sides and used as 
an infant class room. Class-rooms were also arranged in the side gal- 
leries, two on the north side and one on the south, with screens which 
can be run up out of the way. At the east end of the south gallery 
a room was partitioned off for the use of the Ladies' Aid Society. 
The platform near the sliding doors is movable. 

The church was fitted up for lighting by electricity, the lights being 
inclosed in fancy globes, including a thirty light chandelier in the cen- 
ter, and as many more lights around the sides of the church. There 
are seats for about 400, and by throwing open the sliding doors the 
seats in the old church will be available and with the galleries will 
make room for about 400 more. 

Upon a stone set in the foundation is the following inscription: 

"M. E. CHURCH, ORGANIZED 1787. ERECTED 1891." 

The new church was dedicated on Sunday, June 26, 1892, by Bishop 
Andrews. 

The board of trustees then consisted of W. N. Storrs, president; L. 
T. Wooster, T. Sharpe, S. R. Butler, W. W. Dibble, O. D. Sykes, M. 
R. Castle, Joseph Hitchcock and George Condit. 

THE NEW ORGAN. 

This fine instrument is from the works of Emmons Howard, of 
Westfield, Mass. Its dimensions are — width 12 feet, depth 7 feet, 
height 17 feet. There are 18 registers and 549 pipes, as follows :— 



120 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



f H wood, 58 " 
I ft.) 



GEEAT OEGAN. COMPASS CO TO A3. 

1. Open Diapason 8 ft. metal, 58 pipes. 

2. Dulciana 8 ft. " 58 

3. Unison Bass 8 ft.) 

4. Melodia 81 

5. Octave 4 ft. metal, 58 " 

6. Super Octave 2 ft. " 58 " 

SWELL OEGAN. COMPASS CC TO A3. 

7. Viola 8 ft. metal, 58 pipes. 

8. Stopped Diapason, Bass ^ ft, twood 58 " 

9. " " Treble 8 ft.) 

10. Flute Harmonique 4 ft. metal, 58 " 

11. Oboe 8 ft. 1 

12. Bassoon 

PEDAL OEGAN. COMPASS COC DO. 

13. Bourdon 16 ft. wood, 27 pipes. 

MECHANICAL EEGISTEES. 

14. Swell to great coupler. 

15. Great to pedal coupler. 

16. Swell to pedal coupler. 

17. Swell tremolo. 

18. Blower's signal. 
Balanced swell pedal. 



ft.) u 5g 
ft.) 



121 



Pastorate of Kev. James A. Macmillak. 

1894-5. 

At the session of New York East Conference in 1894, the writer 
was appointed by Bishop Fowler to the pastorate of the Seymour 
Methodist Episcopal Church. While the year was one of abundant 
activity by pastor and people, its most important results do not yield 
themselves readily to the record of printed pages. The following will 
at least serve as a summary in outline: The church had just emerged 
from the erection of its splendid new edifice when a period of business 
depression set in, unprecedented in the history of the country. The 
pastorate of 1894-5 was prosecuted in the face of difficult financial 
problems growing out of this condition. It is worthy of lasting record 
that the people of the church rose to the emergency with rare devotion 
and generosity. The sum contributed for current expenses was larger 
than in any previous year. The reduction of the bonded debt, previ- 
ously begun, was continued, and the Sundayschool added a large pay- 
ment to the amount already paid upon its obligation assumed for re- 
building and furnishing the chapel. 

The spiritual work of the church was not neglected because of at- 
tention to temporalities. Besides the usual services, special meetings 
were held for five weeks, resulting in deepened religious experience to 
many and the beginning of a christian life and profession to others. 

During the year fifteen members removed by letter to churches in 
other towns, and one died, Edwin Smith. The year began with 189 
members and 14 probationers, and closed with 200 members and 14 
probationers. 

At the conference session in 1895 the writer was appointed to the 
pastorate of Trinity Church, Long Island City, to which he had been 
invited, and the Seymour pastorate terminated with numerous kind 
and gratifying assurances that although brief it had not been without 
usefulness. James A. Macmillan. 



122 



SOME WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE. 



REV. SAMUEL R. HICKOX. 

Samuel Beynolds Hickox, whose name frequently occurs in the 
early mention of the church, was born in Watertown in 1790 and 
married there in 1808, He was a miller by trade and ran a grist mill 
in Wolcottville and afterward in Waterbury, where he was one of the 
first and most efficient members of the First Methodist church. In 
1821 he was licensed as a local preacher and is said to have preached 
to a large audience, in a ballroom, the first Methodist sermon ever 
heard in Waterbury. After this he frequently conducted services 
there. In 1825 he moved to Southbury and in 1826 was ordained a 
local deacon, by Bishop Hedding, in the old John street church, in 
New York. 

In 1828 he moved to Humphreysville, where he had charge of the 
gristmill near the Falls, where the plush mill now stands. He after- 
ward engaged in clock making, bought a place on the south side of 
Pearl street, the third house east of the Methodist parsonage, and 
built a shop for his clock work. He frequently went to Waterbury 
and preached there. 

He was greatly interested in the building of the church of 1847 and 
had a "town clock" put up in the tower. The memorial sketch given 
on pages 109 and 110, and the lists on pages 113-4-5, which were 
placed under the cornerstone of the church, were prepared by him. 
He died in 1861, beloved by all who knew him. There are yet many 
among both clergy and laity who have a warm place in their mem- 
ories for Father Hickox. 

THOMAS GILYARD. 
Among those who were elected trustees of the society Oct. 31, 1817, 
and to whom the old Congregational church was deeded on the 22d of 
the following September, was Thomas Gilyard, who had served in the 
War of 1812 and as far as can be gathered from the scanty records 
which have been preserved, was a faithful soldier of the cross. His 






SOME WHO HAVE GK)NE BEFORE. 123 

name and that of his wife Lois appear in the list of members of Timo- 
thy Hitchcock's class in 1819. It is probable that he continued to be 
a trustee for thirty years or more. In 1846 he was one of the trustees 
who were appointed by Bev. Geo. L. Fuller. That he had the interest 
of the church at heart is evident from the many entries in the journal 
which he kept and from which many details of local history have been 
obtained. That the ministers and missions of the M. B. church were 
dear to him is also evident from the fact that in his will he gave to the 
church three acres of land near his house on Skokorat, recommending 
that the proceeds be appropriated one half for the benefit of worn out 
Methodist preachers and one half for missions, as related on pages 27 
and 28. He died in 1853 and his remains rest in the old churchyard 
in the rear of the church. lie is gone but his work lives after him 
and every year his benefaction is a help to the cause to which he was 
devoted. 

TIMOTHY HITCHCOCK. 
Timothy Hitchcock was one of the oldest members of the church. 
He was converted in the great revival of 1816 in the Methodist soci- 
ety in this place, and soon became an efficient member of the church. 
The society then had no church and meetings were occasionally held 
at his house. He was elected a trustee of the society in 1817 and 
was one of the five who purchased the old Congregational church in 
1818 for the use of the Methodists. During his later years he lived 
with his son, Burritt Hitchcock, in New Haven, where he died Dec. 
5, 1878, aged 97 years and 4 months. His wife, Mrs. Urania Hitch- 
cock, was also one of the early members of the society. She died 
Jan. 1, 1843, aged 64. 

JARED BASSETT. 
Jared Bassett was for many years one of the most faithful and ear- 
nest members of the church. He was one of the contributors for the 
rebuilding of the old church in 1818, and when it was pulled down in 
1847 he was one of the most active in the building of the new church. 
He had charge of the stonework for the church of 1847 and the fine 
masonry shown in the view facing page 17 was his work. A part of 
the material may yet be seen in the steps to the chapel entrance. He 
was for many years one of the trustees and was seldom absent from 
the services. He died May, 1869, aged 77 years. 



124 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

WAilREN FRENCH. 

Warren French was a licensed local preacher for many years and 
was always prompt at the post of duty, His earnest exhortations 
were leading features of the prayermeetings and he was one of the 
most liberal contributors to the funds of the church. He was presi- 
dent of the board of trustees in ? 73 and 7 74. He died June 16, 1881, 
aged 77 years. 

LUGRAND SHARPE. 

Lugrand Sharpe was one of the faithful and efficient workers in the 
church from the date of his coming to Seymour in 1842 until his last 
sickness in 1876. Previous to that date he had lived in Southford 
and had been the leader in the building and maintenance of the little 
church there. He became superintendent of the Sundayschool the 
year after he came here and held that position eight years. He after- 
ward held the position of treasurer of the Sundayschool for fifteen 
years and was always active in the dissemination of church literature. 
He was especially interested in missions and was for many years the 
leader in raising funds for mission work. He was always faithful in 
attendance at prayermeetings and classmeetings, and was equally 
ready and willing when any work was to be done or contributions 
made to advance the material interests of the church. He was the 
son of a soldier of the Revolution, his father having served under Col. 
Philip Burr Bradley. He died May 1, 1876, aged 78 years and 11 
months. 



125 



THE GREAT HILL CHURCH. 

This church, in the western part of the town of Seymour, has 
been so closely connected with the center church that some account of 
it may properly be made here. IMuch of the time it has been under 
the same pastoral care. It is one of the oldest Methodist societies in 
Connecticut and at one time ranked highest in strength and numbers 
in the Derby Circuit, which then included the towns of the Naugatuck 
Valley as far as Waterbury. Eev. Heman Bangs, who was presiding 
elder about eighty years ago, said Great Hill was his main stay, and 
Eev. Elijah Woolsey, circuit preacher in 1814, in his book called 
u The Lights and Shadows of the Itinerancy," gives space to incidents 
of his experience on Great Hill. It had been an old Presbyterian 
parish, the church standing near the Davis place. Abner Smith was 
the pastor of the Presbyterian Society for thirty years or more 
but moved west and the pulpit was by general consent occupied 
by Methodist clergymen. From the time when Rev. Jesse Lee 
proclaimed the "Glad Tidings" through the valley of the Nauga- 
tuck, service was held here by his successors from time to time, 
and a prosperous church grew up. For a number of years, Cyrus 
Botsford was chorister. The choirs in those days were large and 
some humorous anecdotes are told of corrections made by Mr. Bots- 
ford when discordant notes were heard, when his words were more 
emphatic than appropriate to the place. He was four times married 
and had seventeen children. Capt. Isaac Bassett and wife, grand- 
parents of Elliott Bassett, were among the first Methodists on 
the Hill, and Judson English was closely identified with the church 
for half a century. Eev. George L. Puller, pastor in 1845-6, made 
his home in the house opposite the Great Hill church, making the 
church at the center take a secondary position, the parsonage there 
being rented for what income it might bring. 

Abel Holbrook deeded land Feb. 8, 1802, to Judson English, 



126 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

Eli Gillette and Josiah Bassett, trustees of the Great Hill M. E. 
church, said land being described as follows : 

" Bounded northerly, westerly and southerly on land of grantor, 
and easterly on highway, each of said boundary lines being sixty 
feet in length, containing fifteen rods, mere or less, with the build- 
ings thereon, and whenever said property shall cease to be occupied 
as a place of public worship, or the trustees or their successors, or any 
other religious demonstration shall cease to occupy said property for 
the above mentioned purpose then this deed shall be void, to have 
and to hold the above granted and bargained premises with the ap- 
purtenances thereof, until the said trustees and their successors in 
office forever, in trust for the use of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
in the said town of Seymour, on Great Hill, so called, according to 
the rules and discipline which from time to time may be agreed 
upon and adopted by the ministers and preachers of said church, at 
their General Conference in the United States of America, and in 
further trust and confidence that they shall at all times forever here- 
after permit such ministers and preachers belonging to the said church 
as shall from time to to time be duly authorized by the General Con- 
ference of the ministers and preachers of said Methodist Episcopal 
Church, or by the annual conference authorized by the said General 
Conference, to preach and expound God's holy word therein, and to 
administer the discipline of the said Methodist Episcopal Church." 

The church has now a fund of $400 given by Judson English. 
He left bonds to the value of $1,000 for the church, but before the 
bonds came into the possession of the church they had depreciated so 
much that only $400 was realized from their sale. 

A classbook for the years 1849 to 1877, and a later list, give the 
following names of members : 

Jerry Andrews, received Nov. 13, 1870, was one of the stewards. 
Capt. Isaac Bassett, died June 6, 1850, aged 83. 
Mrs. Pamelia Bassett, died Nov. 29, 1885, aged 87. 
Israel Bassett, removed to New Haven. 
Josiah Bassett, on list in 1853, d. Mar. 2, 1877. 
Maria A. Bassett, removed by certificate. 
Ann Amanda Bassett, nee' Bunnell, received on probation, July 13, 

1851. Bemoved. 
Betsey Bassett, removed by certificate Dec. 29, 1849. 



THE SOCIETY AT GREAT HILL. 127 

Elliot R. Bassett, leader in 1852, and Sundayschool superintendent. 

Removed to Ansonia. 
Minerva E. Bassett, 1853-75. 
Susan Bassett, 1852-75. 

George Blakeslee, exhorter in 1870, elected trustee in 1880. 
Mrs. Julia Blakeslee, 1875. 
George Botsford, 1853. 
Mary Botsford, deceased Nov, 2, 1857. 
Mrs. Emmeline Bradley, received Dec. 21, 1857. 
Miles L. and Julia E. Bronson, received July 26, 1863, removed. 
Eodney Bronson, received March 31, 1867. 
George W. Bunnell, received Feb. 3, 1867. Removed. 
Sarah J. Bunnell, removed by certificate. 
Sarah F. Bunnell, received March, 31, 1867. Removed. 
Mrs. Emily demons, received Sept. 28, 1861. 
Edwin G. Clemons, deceased. 
Michael Coleman. 
Mrs. Carrie Coleman. 
Abram Collins, received^in 1870. 
William Cook, received Nov. 13, 1870. 
Miss Ida B. Crossman. 
Edward Davis, deceased. 
Mrs. Sarah M. Davis. 
Bernard Davis, deceased. 
Miss Jessie Davis. 

Isaac and Elizabeth De Forest, received in 1873. 
John W. and Julia M. De Forest, received March 9, 1874. 
Isaac Downs, received 1870, d. July 28, 1887, aged 77. 
Charles H. Durand, under date Sept. 8, 1851. 
Judson English, leader in 1851, and 1855 to 1865. Died Aug. 12, 

1876, aged 81. 
Sally English, d. Feb. 4, 1880, aged 78. 

Anson Gillette, joined the church in 1810, d. June 12, 1846, aged 72. 
Betsey Gillette, wife of Anson Gillette, died Jan. 31, 1863, aged 85. 
Eli Gillette. 

Mrs. Eliza Gillette, received Sept. 28, 1851. 
Emily Gillette, received Sept. 28, 1851. 
Lucius Gillette, received on probation in 1870, d. Nov. 21, ? 78, aged 66. 



128 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

Philo and Mary Gillette, reed. Sept. 28, 1851, withdrew in 1860. 

Sally Gillette, wife of David Gillette, died June 2, 1865, aged 73. 

Catherine E. Holbrook, 1853, removed. 

Harriet E. Holbrook, 1853, removed. 

Eichard and Rebecca Holbrook, removed by certificate. 

Emma J. Hubbell, 1875. 

Emma Jane Hubbard, 1870. 

Betsey E. Hull, removed by certificate March 15, 1857. 

John Clark Hull, on list from 1852, until his death Aug. 9 ? '84, a 76. 

Mrs. Sarah Hull, died Nov. 12, 1891, aged 77 years, 11 mo. 

Mary Hull (Coggswell), 1853. 

Mary E. Hull, received on probation, March 27, ? 57. 

Elizabeth Victoria E. Hurd, removed to England. 

Abijah and Mary Hyde, of Five Mile Hill. 

Charles Johnson, 1853. 

Nellie C. Johns@n, received Nov. 15, 1868, m. Chas. Hard. 

Hepzibah Lake, wife of Walter Lake, died Nov. 9, 1875, aged 85. 

Ealph Lewis, removed by certificate Sept. 25, 1859, d. in Oxford. 

Mrs. Eurenia Lewis, removed, d. in Oxford. 

Arthur and Hattie Llewellyn, removed to Derby. 

Bennett Lum, withdrew. 

Mary J. Lum, received on trial, July 15, 1849, d. Oct. 21, 1849. 

Huldah Macfarland, received Jan. 10, 1861. Removed Apr. 3, 1864. 

Frances A. Mansfield, now living in Philadelphia. 

Joseph and Harriet Marshall, received 3d Sunday in June, 1894. 

Betsey Russell, removed Dec. 25, 1849, d. in Waterbury. 

Isaac Russell, received Dec. 1, 1845, now living in Waterbury. 

Philo Sanford, received Dec. 21, 1857. Died March 5, 1863. 

Charity Sanford, received Dec. 21, 1857. 

Experience Scoville, died Dec. 31, 1852, aged 84. 

Harriet English Scoville, now of New Haven. 

Emmons Scranton, died in Woodbridge in 189-. 

Clark and Anna Selleck, removed by certificate in May, 1866. She 

died in Middlebury in February, 1870. 
William B. Sherman, deceased. 
Mrs. Phebe Sherman, removed. 

Geo, F. and Almira L. Shove, removed Jan. 31, 1877. 
John Smith, Sr., died March 6, 1858, aged 81 years. 



THE SOCIETY AT GREAT HILL. 129 

Mrs. Anna Smith, died June 6, 1858, aged 83 years. 

Mrs. Lucinda Smith, wife of John Smith, Jr., was a very active member, 

d. Mar. 9, 1854, aged 50 years. 
Laura Smith, sister of John Smith. 

Elizabeth S. Smith, removed by certificate, May 20, 1851. 
Frank Smith. 

George William Smith, received in 1868, moved to Pleasant Vale. 
Mrs. Eliza Smith, received in 1868, moved to Pleasant Vale. 
Mrs. Lavinia Smith. 
John J. Smith, Bungay. 
Mrs. Marietta Smith. 

Martha 0. Smith, now Mrs, Carlo Arzanni, of Ansonia. 
Bosanna Smith, removed to Ansonia. 
Prudence S. Spring, removed by certificate. 
Abel V. Summers, 1853, d. in Milford, bn. Great Hill. 
Mrs. Maria E. Tolles, received Nov. 15, 1868, transferred to Seymour. 
James Tomlinson and wife. 
Mrs. Francis Tomlinson, removed to Bridgeport. 
J. W. Tomlinson, received in February, 1881. 
Arthur Tomlinson. 

Sarah Tomlinson, wife of David Tomlinson, d. Apr. 16, 1867, aged 87. 
Mrs. Caroline Treat, received Sept., 1860, deceased. 
Elenor E. Treat, deceased. 

Eunice E. Treat, m. Munson, removed to New Haven. 

Marvin Tuttle, received on probation, March 8, 1868. Removed, d. 
Levina Umberfield, nee' Bunnell, transferred to society at Seymour. 
Caroline Wooster, died Sept. 30, 1851, aged 44. 
Garry Yale, killed at the battle of Gettysburg. 
Mrs. Ann Yale, removed. 

David Durand and wife joined in 1814. 

Samuel Durand and wife joined in 1814. (No. names 122.) 



The old Presbyterian church, which stood near the top of the hill, 
and had long been given up to the Methodists, had never been finished 
and in winter was so cold that meetings were held in the old red school- 
house at the foot of the hill. 



130 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

Rev. Abner Smith had a daughter who married a minister named 
Barrett, who taught school in the old red schoolhouse, but one who can 
remember since 1820 is positive that neither Barrett or his father-in- 
law preached there later than 1825, thinks not so long. 

Many colored people were accustomed to attend the meetings but 
they took the rear seats, next the wall, and always remained in their 
seats until the white people had passed out. 

Jesse Johnson, a local preacher, from Humphreysville, came over 
and preached in 1810, and there were a number of conversions. 

Capt. Abel Holbrook was for a time much opposed to the Metho- 
dists and once attended the services in the old church with the intent 
to disturb the meeting, but was favorably impressed and afterward in- 
vited the minister to preach at his house. 

Bev. Elijah Woolsey once preached in the old schoolhouse and 
was invited by Oapt. Bassett to preach in his house on his next trip. 

Bev. Bela Smith did not have much success at Humphreysville 
on account of a dispute about property but at Great Hill his preaching 
was remarkably successful and there were more than thirty converts. 
His alternate was Bev. Mr. Miller, it being then the custom to ap- 
point two preachers on each circuit, who followed one another on their 
rounds of three weeks each, having the fourth week to rest and recu- 
perate at home. During the three weeks they were making their rounds 
over the circuit they preached both Sundays and week nights as occa- 
sion ottered. Their cash salary was only about $100 per year but on 
their rounds they stopped with the brethren and were at but little ex- 
pense. 

Anson Gillette, who was the son of Oapt. Jeremiah Gillette, of 
Revolutionary times, was converted under the preaching of Rev. 
Jesse Johnson. He was the first class leader and it is stated that his 
wife and five of his sons became members of the church. 

Eli Gillette, the fifth and only surviving son of Anson Gillette, 
now eightysix years of age, has long been an active and liberal mem- 
ber of the church. He has been one of the trustees for more than 
forty years and has for many years been a member of the board of 
stewards. He was formerly in the tannery business, which was carried 
on in a building which stood on the corner west of the old schoolhouse. 
He was active in maintaining a good school at Great Hill and after 
the districts were consolidated he was elected a member of the town 
board of education. 



THE SOCIETY AT GREAT HILL. 131 

J. W. Tomlinson has for many years been one of the most effi- 
cient members of the church, filling the offices of trustee, steward, class 
leader and Sundayschool superintendant. He is a zealous temperance 
man and is universally respected as a consciencious and upright 
christian citizen. 

Frederick M. Clemons was a liberal and efficient member of the 
board of trustees and was also one of the stewards. He was several 
times elected a member of the board of education of the town of Sey- 
mour. He was a member of New Haven Commandery, Knights 
Templar, whose emblem, the cross and crown, attested his faith in the 
christain religion. His death, which occurred July 25th, 1886, was a 
great loss to the Great Hill church. 

M. L. Coleman, a young man of much ability, is one of the trus- 
tees of the church and a member of the board of stewards. 

The number of members Jan. 1, 1853, was 36. 

The present church was built in ? 53 and ? 54 and was dedicated 
Oct. 25, 1854. Subscriptions were made that day to the amount of 
$580, leaving a debt of $300, which was paid not long after. 

The officers and teachers of the Sundayschool in 1877 were J. W. 
Tomlinson, superintendent; Mrs. Marcus Davis, assistant superinten- 
dent and treasurer; Miss Nellie L. Candee, secretary; Isaac De 
Forest, librarian; and Mr. Tomlinson, Miss Candee, Mrs. Davis and 
Miss Ida Crossman, teachers. 

A legacy of $5,000 was left to the church by Mrs. Cynthia Treat 
Merrill, of New Haven, who died in 1887, the money to be paid over 
to the society at the end of ten years from her death. She also left 
$2,000 to the society on condition that an evening school be maintain- 
ed several months every year, and $2,000 more for library purposes. 




REV. C. E. BARTO. 



133 



The Present Pastorate, 
1895 — i 

The years 1893-1897 will loDg be remembered as years of great 
financial depression. Naturally, then, when at the conference of 
April, 1895, Bishop Warren appointed C. E. Barto to this pastorate, 
Seymour Methodists, burdened with a building debt of more than 
$9,000, were feeling severely the stress of the times. Nevertheless, 
holding on with a courage born of faith rather than sight, they gave 
the new pastor and his family a cordial reception, and the day after 
their arrival by a national apron sale given by the Ladies 7 Aid Society 
earned for the reduction of the debt $105. This, the beginning, was 
followed by a series of efforts on the part of the Ladies' Aid Society 
and Epworth League, which during the time of this pastorate which 
has so far elapsed, have gained for the church several hundred dollars. 
The Sundayschool, by the weekly offerings of its members, has re- 
duced its indebtedness during the same time by $300. 

In May, 1895, Horace A. Radford, who for years had been a 
member of this church, died, leaving $250 to the church, which the 
trustees used to reduce the indebtedness, and $25 to the Sundayschool 
for the purchase of library books, an example worthy of imitation. 

In all during the conference year 1895-6 there was paid on the 
building fund of church and Sundayschool about $1,000. 

Necessarily with so much time and effort given to the financial 
affairs of the church, the large fields of spiritual work were less thor- 
oughly cultivated, nevertheless many seasons of refreshing were 
enjoyed at the usual place of worship and at cottage meetings held 
during the winter, and some were born into the kingdom of God. 
Numerous removals from town balance the additions to the church, 
leaving the number of members practically unchanged. 

In addition to the amount paid on building fund indebtedness, 
the church raised during the conference year 1895-96 about $2,000, 
which was distributed as follows : 



134 



ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



To pastor, $800 ; presiding elder, $32; bishops, $13; conference 
claimants, $15; general conference expenses, $13; interest on debt? 
$602; sexton, $125; music, $125; insurance, $25; poor fund, $18; 
miscellaneous, $120. 

Benevolences. — Missions, $50; church extension, $6; education, 
$17; Sundayschool Union, $3 ; Tract Society, $3; Freedmen 7 s Aid, 
$5; American Bible society, $2; pastoral aid, $12; miscellaneous, 
$14. Total, $112. 

The officiary of the church, Sundayschool and various societies 
during the years 1895-1897 was as follows : 

THE CHURCH. 

Peesiding Eldee, Rev. Crandall J. North, New Haven. 
Pastoe, Rev. C. Elmore Barto. 



John Perrins (Elder), 



Thomas Sharpe, President, 
L. T. Wooster, Treasurer, 
A. C. Peck, 
S. R. Butler, 



LOCAL PEEACHEES. 

E. T. Bice. 

TEUSTEES. 

C. H. Lounsbury, Secretary, 
W. W. Dibble, 
W. K Storrs, 
O. D. Sykes, 



Joseph Hitchcock. 



STEWAEDS. 



J. B. Perrins, Recording Steward and Church Treasurer. 
L. T. Wooster, District Steward, Richard Alderson, 



E. T. Bice, 
W. W. Dibble, 
C. A. Hammond, 
C. H. Jorey, 



E. S. Butler, 
C. H. Guild, 
E. T. Humphreys, 
J. W. Schofield, 
Benjamin Williams. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL. 



C. H. Guild, Superintendent, 
A. C. Peck, Recording Secretary, 
Mrs. M. R. Castle, Treasurer, 
Alson E. Roberts, Asst. Lib., 
Miss Nettie Smith, Pianist, 



Mrs. Edwin Smith, Asst. Supt. 
M. W. D. Fenton, Cor. Sec'y. 
Burton Holbrook, Librarian, 
Frank Cooper, Recording Librarian, 
E. T. Humphreys, Chorister. 



THE PRESENT PASTORATE. 135 

LADIES' AID SOCIETY. 

October 1894-1895. 
Mrs. Irving Wrigley, President, Mrs. Edwin Smith, Vice President, 

Mrs. C. H. Cooper, Secretary, Mrs. O. D. Sykes, " " 

Mrs. S. R. Butler, Treasurer. 

DIRECTORS. 

Mrs. H. Atwater, Mrs. E. E. Holbrook, 

Mrs. G. Burroughs, Mrs. J. Maybury, 

Mrs. A. C. Peck. 

October 1895-96. 
Mrs. M. W. D. Fenton, President, Mrs. C. H. Lounsbury, Vice Prest. 
Mrs. C. H. Cooper, Secretary, Mrs. C. E. Barto, " " 

Mrs. S. R. Butler, Treasurer, 

DIRECTORS. 

Mrs. C. H. Guild, Mrs. J. E. Camp, 

Mrs. B. Holbrook, Mrs. E. Holbrook, 

Mrs. E. T. Humphreys, Mrs. Theo. D. Adams. 

October 1896-97. 
Mrs. Burton Holbrook, President, Mrs. C. H. Lounsbury, Vice Prest., 

Mrs. E. E. Holbrook, Vice President. 
Mrs. C. H. Cooper, Secretary. Mrs. S,^R, Butler, Treasurer. 

DIRECTORS. 

Mrs. C. H. Guild, Miss Trounson, 

Miss Charlena Castle, Mrs. H. White, 

Mrs. Smith Carpenter, Mrs. David Miles, 

EPWORTH LEAGUE. 
To October, 1895. 
E. 8. Butler, President, Otto W. Davis, 1st Vice President, 

Mrs. B. Holbrook, 2d Vice President, Mrs. C. H. Guild, 3d " 
Miss Nettie Smith, 4th " " David Tocher, Secretary. 

E. T. Humphreys, Treasurer. 

October, 1895— May, 1896. 

E. T. Humphreys, President, Miss Clara Rickards, 1st Vice Prest., 

Mrs. Burton Holbrook, 2d Vice Prest., Mrs. C. H. Guild, 3d Vice President, 

Miss Maggie Evans, 4th " " David Tocher, Secretary, 

E. S. Butler, Treasurer. 

May, 1896— May, 1897. 

Wm. F. Weymer, President, Miss Clara Rickards, 1st Vice Prest., 

Mrs. Burton Holbrook, 2d Vice Prest. , Miss Emma Butler, 3d Vice President, 

Miss Maggie Evans, 4th " " David Tocher, Secretary, 

Miss Susie Burroughs, Treasurer. 



137 



OFFICIAL MEMBERS. 

Sheldon Miles is one of the honored senior officials of the church. 
He was first appointed a trustee in 1846 and has held that office much 
of the time since. He was twice elected president of the board of trus- 
tees, and twice secretary. He was for a number of years treasurer of 
the board, and in 1868 was superintendent of the Sundayschool. He 
has for many years been a manufacturer of clock cords, while living on 
the ancestral acres which have been handed down for six generations, 
from Richard Miles, who came to America in 1638. 

William B". Storrs has for many years been one of the standbys of 
the church. He has been a trustee for nearly thirty years and for 
eight years was president of the board. He has also for many years 
been one of the stewards and for six years was superintendent of the 
Sundayschool. He is of the good old patriotic Puritan stock, being a 
grandson of Eoger Storrs, who served in the Revolutionary War, and 
a descendaat of Samuel Storrs, who came from Sutton Cum Lound 
in Nottinghamshire, England, to Barnstable, Mass., in 1663, among 
whose descendants have been Hon. Henry R. Storrs, member of Con- 
gress from 1819 to 1821 and from 1823 to 1831, and William L. 
Storrs, member of Congress for several terms and afterward Chief 
Justice of Connecticut. 

L. T. Wooster is one of the active and energetic official member?. 
He has for years been a classleader, a Sundayschool teacher, trustee, 
and president of the board of trustees, and was the leader in the 
movement to build the new church. 

S. R. Butler has for over thirty years been one of the tried and 
trusted official members, as steward, teacher in the Sundayschool, and 
three times elected Sundayschool superintendent, always earnest and 
faithful to his charge. 

William B. Johnson for many years filled the position of leader 
in the choir, and his efficient service in that capacity was greatly 
enjoyed by the congregation and is gratefully remembered. He was 
several times elected trustee and has rendered efficient service in the 
Sundayschool. 



138 ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 

0. H. Louusbury has filled the offices of steward and trustee for 
many years. He represented his native town in the legislature in 
1877 and since coming to Seymour has for a number of years filled 
the office of first selectman. 

Thomas Sharpe has for many years been an active member of 
the church and a liberal contributor to its funds. He has been one of 
the trustees since 1882 and was twice elected president of the board. 
For seven years he served as superintendent of the Sundayschooh 

S. H. Eankin has served as trustee but declined re-election, pre- 
ferring not to hold the offices to which his brethren would gladly have 
elected him. 

D. H. Munson has served as trustee and steward and has held 
other offices in the church, but has in general preferred to remain a 
private in the ranks, yet always an earnest and faithful member. 

C. H. Guild has filled the office of superintendent several years to 
the entire satisfaction and approval of the church, and has filled other 
offices in the church to which he has been repeatedly re-elected. 

Others who would otherwise be remembered here have been 
referred to by the pastors in the sketches of their pastorates, or other- 
wise, in the preceding pages, for which see index. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 

opposite; / 

The Church of 1847 to 1891.... Title-page -'" 

Rev. Samuel R. Hicock .Page 13 - " 

Rev. Geo. L. Fuller 14 ^ 

Rev. David Osborn 21^ 

Rev. Sylvester Smith 26^ 

Rev. George Lansing Taylor 30 "* 

Rev. Joseph Pullman..... 32'" 

Rev. Joseph Vinton 41^ 

Rev. C. W. Lyon 45 y 

Lugrand Sharpe 69 ^ 

Sheldon Miles 82^ 

Albert W. Lounsbury 88 

Thomas Sharpe 101 

Rev. Geo. B. Dusinberre 117 

The Present Church 118^ 

Rev. C. E. Barto 133^ 



139 



INDEX. 



Abbott, B. T., 32. 

Adams, James K., 32, 35, 69, 74. 

John, 69 

T. D , Mrs , 135. 

William A., 74. 
Alderson, Richard, 134. 
Ames, Henry. 8. 
Andrews. Jerry, 126. 

Job, 113. 
Andrus, Luman, 7. 
Annis, James, 7 
Asbury, Bishop, 6. 
Atwater, Horace, 14. 

H., Mrs., 135. 

Bachelor, Elijah, 7. 
Baker, Mary, 14. 
Bainbridge, Isaac, 110. 

Thomas, 14. 
Baldwin, Charles, 10. 

Elias, 115. 

Esther, 6. 

Eunice, 6. 

Philena. 10. 

Sarah, 6. 
Bangs, Heman, 13, 125. 

Nathan, 8. 
Barnett, Eli, 12. 
Bartlett, Geo. L., 48, 70, 74, 75, 79. 

Leila, 74, 79 
Barto, C. E . 133, 134. 

C. E., Mrs., 135. 
Bassett, Abel, 114. 

Abigail. 1)1. 

Betsey, 126. 

Capt , 130. 

Elliott R., 91, 127. 

Ezra, 115. 

Glover, 113. 

Heber 25. 

Isaac 7,111,125, 126. 

Israel, 126. 

Jared, 12, 18, 19, 22, 30, 31, 89, 93, 
111, 113, 114. 

Josiah, 126. 

Julius, 113. 

Loenzo M., 113. 

Mary, 111. 

Mineiva E., 127. 

Nancv, 111. 

Sally "B , 11, 12, 111. 116, 

Samuel, 111 115. 

Samuel, 3d, 113. 

Sheldon, 113. 

Susan, 127. 
Bates, William, 13. 
Beach, Benjamin, 16, 40, 109. 

David, Ss7, 114. 

Many, 105. 

J. B, 14. 

S. Y , 14. 



Beecher, Henry B., 34, 36, 39, 43, 46, 
111. 

Philo B., 113. 
Benedict, Henry W., 30, 69, 83, 89, 93, 
Bice, Edward, 79, 134. 
Bissell, Wm D., 25, 92. 
Blakeslee, Geoige, 127. 

Julia, 127. 
Blanchard, C. N., 34, 69. 
Bland John A., 69, 111, 113. 

Caroline E, 111. 
Blydenburgh, Moses, 14, 15. 
Bodge, Huldah, 111. 

John, 111. 
Booth, Albert, 30. 

Anna, 111. 

Mary A., 67, 111. 
Botsford, Cyrus, 125. 

Edward N„ 69, 34, 36. 

George, 127. 

Lyman, 34, 36, 111, 114. 

Mary, 127. 

Smith, 30, 31, 32, 34, 39, 90, 113. 
Bowen, J '.. 14. 
Bradley, Emmetfne, 127. 

Eunice, 111. 
Bray, Spencer H., 38, 92. 
Brewer, F. H., 35 
Brewster, Nathaniel, 109. 
Broadwell, Betsey, 111, 113. 
Bronson, Julia E., 127. 

Miles L., 127. 

Rodney, 127. 
Brush, Jacob, 7. 
Buck, Valentine, 12. 
Bunnell, Esther A , 111, 114 

George W., 127. 

Levina, 29. 

Mary, 111. 

Renus. 113. 

Samuel A., Ill, 113. 

Sarah E., Ill, 114. 

Sarah F., 127. 

Sarah J., 127. 
Burns, S. A., 56. 
Bun, J. K., 25. 
Burritt, Ransom, 114. 
Burroughs, A L., 101. 

Geo. W., 48, 74. 79. 

G. W., Mrs.. 135. 

Susie, 77, 135. 
Burying ground, 49. 
Bushnell, Samuel, 12. 
Butler, Albert C, 69, 79. 

E. S.. 134, 135. 

Emma Miss, 135. 

Samuel R , 36, 69, 75, 79, 95, 98, 99, 
101, 118, 119, 135, 137. 

S. R , Mrs., 135. 

Calkins, S M,, 46. 



140 



ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



Camp, J E. Mrs , 135. 
Candee, Nellie L., 131. 

C. W., 113 
Canfield, Ezekiel, 12. 

Josiah, 114. 
Cailson Carl 46, 95,101. 
Carpenter, Coles, 7. 

Harrv. 77. 

Mrs. S. T., 79, 95,101, 135. 

M. R., 119. 
Carrington, Daniel, 114. 

Leveritt, 114. 

Riveras, 115. 
Castle, Charlena, 135. 

M. R., Mrs , 69, 75, 79, 95, 101, 134. 
Chamberlin, Nancy, 46. 
Chatfield, Abigail, 111. 

Geo. A., 25. 

Horace. 28. 

Leman, 97. 114. 

Marv J., 111. 

Oliver S., 113. 
Cheney, Laban C, 12. 
Chipman. Emma M., 111. 

Joseph, 113. 
Church, Sheldon, 113. 
Clark, Allan, 31. 

Amelia, 111, 114. 

David, 113. 

George, 6, 110. 

Jonathan, 96, 111, 114. 

Laba , 12. 

Lyiiia, 111. 

Smith, 113. 

Treat, 114. 

Walter B., 113. 
Clemens, Frederick M., 131. 

Emily, 127. 

Edwin G., 127. 
Coats, Michael 7. 
Cochran, Thomas, 113. 
Coe, George, 113. 

John, 5, 6. 

John A., 6, 96. 

Ruth, 5, 6. 
Coleman, M. L., 46, 127, 130, 131. 

Carrie, 127. 

James 7 8. 12. 
Collington, J. J. H., 118. 
Collins, Abram. 127 
Condit George. 119. 
Coney, Emma, 46. 
Coo^, Wil.iam, 127. 
Cooper. C H., Mrs., 135. 

Frank, 134. 
Corey, John F., Ill, 113. 

Maiinda, 111. 
Crawford. John, 14, 114. 

J seph, 7. 
Crossman, Ida, 127, 131. 
Crowther, J. W., 46, 9?. 

John C , 46. 
Culver, B. F , 24. 
Grace, 25. 
Miles, 113. 
Stephen H , 111, 113. 
Curtiss, Wm. B , 17. 

Davis, Alva, 12, 19, 111, 115. 

Anna, 12. 
Bernard, 127. 
Charles H , 88. 



Davis. Clark, 34. 

Edward, 127. 

Effie, 98. 

Harvey. 113. 

Isaac, 18. 

Jessie, 127. 

John, 39. 

J. W., 98, 99. 

Mrs. Marcus, 42, 131. 

Otto W., 77, 134. 

Philo, 113, 

Polly, 12. 

Reuben, 12. 

Sarah M., 127. 

Zerah B., 88. 
Day, H. P. &E.,31. 
De Forest, Nellie, 46. 

I-aac, 127, 131. 

Andrew H., 113. 

Elizabeth. 127. 

John W., 127. 

Julia M., 127 
Denniston. Eli. 12. 

Helen F., 46. 
Denny, Harriet, 111. 

Solomon, 111. 
Dibble, Cora, 79, 101. 

Fred, 74, 77. 

S. E., 74. 

Olin L., 46, 69. 

W. W, 31, 32, 33, 34, 39, 54, 74, ! 
95, 119. 

W. W., Mrs., 101. 
Doolittle, Wilbur, 46. 

Oliver. 77, 105 
Dorman Amos 115. 
Downs, Edward S., 34. 

Isaac. 127. 

Marv, 46. 

Kneel -nd, 113 
Duand, Charles H 127. 

David, 8 129. 

Frederick, 22 ,67. 

Jeremiah, 113. 

Samuel, 8, 114, 129. 
Dusinberre Geo. B., 117. 
Dutcher, E. H, 35, 37. 

Ea^ton, Eliphalet, 115. 
Edward-s Charles, 34, 48. 
Ellis, Thomas, 13. 14. 
Emory, Nathan, 7, 12. 
English, Benoni, 8, 114. 

Harri t, 128. 

Judson, 22, 34, 91, 125, 127. 

Sally, 127. 
Epworth League, 118. 
Evans, Maggie, Miss, 135. 

Farrell, Ira G , 43. 
Fenton, M. W. D., 134. 

Mrs.. 135. 
Fe guson, Samuel D., 12. 
Field, Julius, 12 
Finch, L. R , 114. 
Fisher, Benjamin, 6, 110. 

Ebenezer, 115. 
Foss, C D., 26. 
Fox. Abby, 111. 
Francis, H E , 46. 
French, Bliss, 25. 

David, 96. 






INDEX. 



141 



French, Harpin R., 89. 

Herman B., 89. 

Israel, 109. 

Laura M., 92. 

Lois, 96. 

Lucinda, 111. 

Mansfield, J., 93. 

Wales, 19, 114. 

Walter, 8, 113, 114. 

Warren, 19, 22, 30. 32, 34, 35, 38, 
39. 54, 75, 83, 89, 111, 113, 124. 

Watson, 113 
Fuller, George L„ 15, 17, 19, 113, 123. 

125. 
Frisbie, E. H , 96. 

Garritt, Dwisht. 46, 48, 74, 79, 101. 
Garretson, Freeborn. 7, 8. 
Gerard. F C, 48, 53, 65. 

F. C . Mrs., 75, 77, 95, 101. 
Gilbert Raphael, 14. 

Elias, 114 

Ezekiel, 113. 

Lydia, 111, 113. 
Gillette. Anson, 7, 115, 127, 130 

Betsey, 127. 

David, 128 

Eli, 8, 48. 95, 126, 127, 130. 

Eliza, 127. 

Emily, 127. 

Jeremiah, 130. 

Josiah. 126. 

Lucius. 127. 

Mary, 128. 

Philo, 128 

Sally, 128. 

William, 96. 
Gilyard, Lois, 12, 27, 111. 

Thomas, 10, 12, 19, 27. 109, 111, 113, 
114, 122. 

Wealthy A., 27. 

Wm F . 34, 111, 113. 
Gladwin, W H., 46, 48, 70, 74, 75, 79, 
95, 99. 101, 105. 

Arthur, 79. 
Goodwin, Henry, 114. 
Great Hill Churcn, 125. 
Guild, C. H., 48, 75, 79, 95, 98, 134, 138. 

C. H.,Mrs, 95, 101, 135 

Hammond, C. A.. 114. 
Harris, R , 7, 9, 12. 
Hartson, John L., 111. 

John P., 113. 

Lyman, 19. 

Mary, 114. 
Hawkins, Asa, 114. 
Hebard, Elijah, 8. 
Hendry x, J. W., 69, 83, 88. 

Roseite, 111. 

Wilson E.. 22, 31, 34, 35, 36, 90, 113. 
Hickox, Harriet, 25. 

Henry. 114. 

Samuel R , 13, 19, 21, 38, 67, 109, 
110, 111, 114, 122. 

Sarah, 111, 114. 
Hill, Wm. T., 24, 29. 
Hine, Amos, 18, 111. 
Hinman, David, 115. 

Jesse Lee, 6. 
Hitchcock, Burritt, 19, 111, 113, 123. 

Denzel, 114, 115. 

Elizabeth, 12. 



Hitchcock, Joseph, 48, 54, 88, 95, 119, 134 

Lucy, 110. 

Maranda, 111,113. 

Mary, 111. 

Sheldon, 12. 

Timothy, 9, 10, 12, 111, 113, 114,123. 

Urania, 12. 
Hodge, George L., 113. 

James, 29. 

William, 113. 
Holbrook, Abel, 125 130. 

Burton W., 46 134. 

B. W., Mrs., 135. 

Catherine E , 128. 

Daniel, 12, 115. 

Edward E, 46, 69, 72, 74. 

E E., Mrs., 135, 

Harriet E., 128. 

Horace, 111. 

Rebecca, 128. 

Richard, 128 

Thomas, 114. 
Holmes, J. E., 119. 
Hotchkis*, James G., 113. 

R , 111. 
Houghtaling, Wm.H., 43, 46, 70, 97, 98. 
Howland, Seneca, 13. 
Hoyt, F W.,57. 
Hubbard, Catharine, 115. 

Emma J., 128. 

Eunice G.. 111. 
Hubbell, Emma J., 128. 

G. A., 50. 

S F 118 
Hughes, Wm A., 69, 111, 113. 
Hull, Almira, 91. 

Betsey E., 128. 

John C, 128. 

Mary, 128 

Sarah, 128. 

William, 6 
Humphreys. E. T., 134, 135. 

John, Jr., 10. 
Humphries, Humphrey, 14. 
Hunt, Aaron, 6, 8. 

Jesse, 8. 
Hurd, Caroline, 111. 

Elizabeth, 128. 

Horace, 113. 

Sheldon, 113. 
Hutchinson, Sylvester, 7, 
Hyde, Abijah, 128. 

Charles L., 39, 113. 

Mary, 128. 

lies, Jared, 114. 

Jack, Samuel, 114. 
Jagger, Ezra, 14. 
Jayne, Peter, 7. 
Jocelyn, Augustus, 7. 
Johnson, Alexander, 109. 

Benajah, 109, 

Charles, 128. 

Cynthia, 12. 

David, 114. 

Ebenezer, 109. 

Hepsibah, 12. 

Isaac, 6, 11, 110. 

Jesse, 6, 11, 12, 110, 114, 130. 

Joseph, 109. 

Mary A., 111. 

Nellie C, 128. 



342 



ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



Johnson, Newell, 9, 114. 

Olive, 6, 110. 

Ruth Ann, 111. 

Silas, 6. 

Stiles. 9, 10, 11, 12, 32, 110, 114. 

Timothy, 109. 

Wm. B., 35, 54, 79, 95, 101, 137. 
Joos, Emma, 77. 

Mollie, 77. 
Jorey, Chas. H., 46, 75, 77, 79, 134. 

Ruth C, 46, 101. 
Judd, H. Q., 55, 74. 

Kellogg, Nathaniel, 12. 
Kelsey, Edward T„ 48, 70, 74, 95. 
Ketchum, Joel, 6. 
Kinney, Lydia, 113. 

William, 10, 113. 
Kirtland, George, 67, 69. 

Harriet, 37. 

Legacv, 36. 37. 

William, 115. 

Ladd, John H., 69. 

T. S , 34. 39, 43, 70, 75. 
Lake, Hepzibah,128. 

Samuel, 114. 

Walter, 128. 
Lathrop Augusta, 46. 
Leavenworth, 114. 
Lee, Jesse, 5, 6, 7. 
Lees, Robert, 9, 10, 1-2, 114. 
Legacies, 27, 32, 36, 37, 133. 
Leonard, S. C , 9. 
Lewin, J. M., 46, 75. 
Lewis, Eurenia 128. 

Ralph, 128. 
Library, Church, 105. 
Llewellyn, Arthur, 128. 

Hattie, 128. 

Julia, 77. 
Losee. Helen S., 46. 

William, 113. 
Lounsbury, A. W., 28, 29, 31, 34, 39, 
48, 49, 50, 69, 74, 75, 79, 87, 88, 
95, 99, 101, 111, 113, 138. 

Olive Maria, 50, 65, 69, 70, 74, 75, 
78, 79, 101, 103. 

Charles H., 95, 134. 

Charles H., Mrs , 135 

Henry W., 111. 

Mary L., 101. 

Timothy, 96. 
Lovejoy, John, 12. 
Luckey, John. 12. 

Samuel, 12. 
Lura Bennett, 128. 

Mary J., 128. 
Lyon, C. W., 45, 49, 50. 

C. W., Mrs , 70. 

Jonathan, 7. 

Zalmon. 7, 8. 
Lyons, Daniel, 111. 

Macfarland, Huldah, 128. 
Macmillan, J. A., 121. 
Mallory. Wm S., 29, 69. 
Mansfield, Frances A , 128. 

Nathan, 111. 
Marshall, Harriet, 128. 

John F., 111. 

Joseph, 128. 

Martha, 111. 



Matthews, Robert, 34. 

William H., 114. 
May bury, James, 46, 79, 95, 101. 

J., Mrs., 135. 
McCombs, Lawrence, 6. 
McEwen, Delia, 111. 
McKay, James, 79, 101, 105. 

Robert, 36. 

Rosa, 48. 70, 77 
McNicholl, A., 98, 99, 101. 
Merrick, Lowly, 114. 
Merrill, Cynthia, 131. 
Merwin, Samuel, 12. 
Miles, Clark, 114. 

D., Mrs., 135. 

Sheldon, 19, 27, 30, 31, 32,33, 
36, 39, 48, 49, 54, 65, 75, 83, 
95, 111, 113, 137. 
Miller, David, 12, 14. 

Henry, 114. 
Moshier, Fannie, 77. 

H. F., Mrs., 70. 

John H., 25, 29, 69. 

John S., 48, 70, 74, 115. 
Munson, D H., 34, 36, 54, 69, 95, 138 

, 129. 

Moulthrop, Betsey, 114. 

Horace, 111, 113. 

Seba, 115 
Murphy, Orrin, 111. 

Newton, Joseph S., 111. 

Nelson, 11 4. 
Nichols, James, 49, 65. 
Nixon, John, 12. 
North, C.J , 134. 
Northrop, Beardslev, 12 

C. F., 59, 98. 

Eliza, 111. 

Harry, 105 

John, 114. 

Joseph S., 111. 

Mark, 113. 

Mark L , 111. 
Nugeut, C. C, 24. 31, 34, 35, 39. 

O'Meara, Abigail. 111. 

Harry, 48 69, 74. 

Michael, 111. 
Osborn. Amanda, 111. 

Charles 113,-114. 

David, Rev , 21. 

Merritt. 19, 96. 

Moses, 8. 

Wm. M., 96. Ill 113, 114. 
Ostrander, Daniel, 6, 7, 12. 



34, 

89, 






12. 

95, 99, 118, 134. 135. 
10, 12, 115. 
79, 95, 101. 



Pease, Wm. F. 
Pec*, A. O, 79 

Bezaleel, 9, 

EG., Mrs. 

Martha. 12. 

Mary, 77. 

OrriD, 12, 96, 115. 
Perkins, Elizur, 113. 

James, 114 
Perrins, John B., 118, 134. 
Phelps, Ira, 111, 114. 
Pierce, Aaron, 9, 12, 36. 
Plum, Wm, 111. 
Piitchard, Leveritt, 114. 
Pulford, F. W, 49,65. 
Pulling, A B , 31, 36, 83. 
Pullman, Joseph, 4, 31. 






INDEX. 



143 



Radford, Horace A., 46, 113, 13:3. 
Rankin, S. H., 33, 50, 52, 138. 
Raynor, Menzies, 6, 
Reynolds, Mary E., 111. 

Rufus K , 23. 
Rice, Phineas, 7. 
Bickards, Clara, 135. 
Riggs, John, 113, 114. 
Roberts, Alson E, 134. 

George, 7. 
Rogers, Evan, 6. 

H. C, 34, 36. 

J. W , 48, 54. 
Roselle, Samuel, 113. 
Rowe, Daniel C, 6, 110. 

Frederick, 115 
Russell, Betsey, 128. 

Isaac, 128. 

Sackett, Louis, 96. 

M. A., Mrs., 33, 48, 67, 95. 
Sanford. Charity, 128. 

Nancy, 96. 

Philo, 96, 128. 

Thomas, 114. 
Schofield. John W., 48, 95. 134. 
Scholefield. Arnold, 6, 12. 
Scott, Abigail, 111, 114. 

Sarah, 114 
Scoville, Experience. 128. 

Harriet, 128 
Scranton. Emmons. 128. 
Searies, Reger, 7. 
Seelev, Julia, 111. 
Selleck, Anna. 128. 

Clark, 128. 
Sewing Society, 114. 
Sharpe, Lugrand, 22, 29, 30, 32, 35, 39, 
67, 69. 89. Ill, 113, 124. 

Olive M., 111. 

Mary A.. 111. 

Maria O., 111. See O. M. Lounsbury 

Elizabeth, 111. 

Thomas, 43, 45, 48, 52, 54, 69, 70, 74, 
79, 95, 97, 99, 101, 105, 118, 119, 
134, 138. 

David W., 24, 88. 

Vioie A., Mrs., 60, 70, 74, 79, 99. 

Ernest C, 70, 79, 105, 118. 

Iva E.. 77. 

Elmer T.. 105. 
Shelden S. M., 31 
Sherman, Wm. B.. 36, 128. 

Phebe. 128. 
Short, Charles J., 77, 79, 95, 101. 

Hannah E., 111. 
Shove, Almira L., 128. 

Geo. F , 128. 
Skeels, Abner. 130. 

Amos, 113. 

Burritt 113. 
Smith. Anna, 129. 

Arthur J., 42, 56. 

Bel a. 12. 130. 

Daniel, 13, 14. 

Davis, 115. 

Edwin. Mrs., 134, 135. 

Eliza, 129. 

Elizabeth H., 93. 

Elizabeth S., 129. 

Frank, 129. 

George A., 49 

George VV\, 129. 



Smith, Henrietta, 111. 

Ira, 10. 

James M , 7. 

John, 115, 128, 129. 

John J , 129. 

Joseph 33. 

Laura, 129. 

Lavinia, 129. 

Lyman, 114. 

Marietta. 129. 

Martha C , 129. 

Nettie, 134, 135. 

Parmelia, 111 

Rosanna. 120. 

Sheldon, 114 

Sylvester. 13, 14, 17, 19, 21, 30, 31, 
32, 54, 83, 89, 111, 112, 113. 
Sparks, Thomas, 114. 
Spencer, Lucina, 114. 

Wm. H., 113. 
Sperry, George, 111 
Spring, Prudence S., 129. 
Stearns. Charles, 17. 
Steele, A. J.. 18. 

Bradford, 10. 

Burton. 113. 

Sarah. 10. 

Wm. W., 114. 
Stephens. AnnS.. 96. 
Stevens Ebenezer. 7. 
Stevenson, Thomas, 29. 
Stewart. Ira E.. 114. 
Stoddard, Oliver H , 114. 

Thomas, 113. 
Storrs Ashbel, 113. 

Wm. N., 30, 31. 32, 34. 36,37,39, 
42, 48, 54, 70 83, 90, 95, 98, 99, 
118, 119. 134, 137. 
Stockwell, G. E. 69. 
Summers, Abel V.. 129 
Sundayschool Constitution, 73. 

Officers, 69. 
Swain. Richard, 6 
Sykes O. D., 79, 95, 99, 101, 134. 

O D., Mrs,, 135. 

Oliver. 7, 9, 14, 119. 

Taylor, George Lansing. 3, 4, 30, 81 . 

' Joshua, 6 
Terrell Eliakim, 114; 

Emmeline, 111, 113. 

Smith. 96. 

Truman, 96. 113, 115. 
Thatcher, William. 7. 
Thomas, Nathan P., 114. 

Noble W., 7. 
Thorpe, Polly, 111. 
Tibbals, C. A., 36. 
Tocher, Bertie, 77. 

David, 77, 135. 

John, 46, 97. 

Marv, 77. 
Tolles, D. B., Mrs., 75. 

Isaac B.. 111. 

Maria R , 129. 
Tomlinson, Arthur, 129. 

David, 129. 

Frances, 129. 

Harrison, 113. 

James, 8, 129. 

J. W., 44, 48, 95 129. 130. 

Sarah, 7. 129. 
Travis, Robert, 14. 



144 



ANNALS OF THE SEYMOUR M. E. CHURCH. 



Treat, Caroline, 129. 

Cynthia, 131. 

Elenor, 129. 

Eunice E., 129. 

Stephen, 113. 
Trounson, Miss, 135. 
Trustees, List of, 54. 
Tucker, Abiram, 114. 

Medad K., 18, 84, 113. 

Sheldon, 115. 
Turner, Chester W., 14 
Tuttle, Marvin, 129. 
Truesdale, Caroline E., 111. 

Laura, 114. 

Umberfield, Harriet, 24. 
Lavinia, 129. 
Willis, 31, 32, 39, 83, 113. 

Vallad, Julia, 79. 

Valuation of Church property, 54. 

Vinton, Joseph, 41, 45. 

Vose, T,, 96. 

Walker. Charles, 98. 
Washburn, Ebenezer, 7, 8, 12. 

George, 114. 

Gideon, 109. 
Watson, Rebecca, 111. 

Wm. B, 19,23, 111, 113. 
Webster, Wm. R., Rev., 34. 
Weymer, Wm. F., 135. 



White, Charles P., 69. 

Henry, 111, 113. 

H., Mrs., 135. 

Wm. W., Ill, 113. 
Wilcox, Abel, 96. 
Williams, Benjamin, 134, 

C. S., 117. 
Winterbottom, John, 96, 114. 
Wiswell, James, 96. Ill, 114; 115. 
Wood, Abner, 7. 
Woodin, Aner, 114. 
Wyant, Geo. S.. 87. 

Catharine, 25. 

Wilson, 19, 87, 48, 111, 113. 

Violet, 70, 77, 111, 119. 
Woodruff, Oscar, 34. 
Woolsey, Elijah, 8, 130. 
Wooster, Bennett, 18, 113. 

Caroline, 129. 

Clarissa, 111. 

E. E., 75. 

Henry B , 48, 49. 52. 54, 57, 65. 

L. T., 46, 48, 70, 75, 95, 97, 99, 11? 
119, 134 137. 

L. T., Mrs., 95. 

Merritt, 114. 
Wostenholm. Wm., 69. 
Wrigley, Ervin, Mrs , 135. 

Yale, Ann, 129. 
Garry, 129. 
Horace, 111. 



OCT 10 1911 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process* 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: May 2006 

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